With a return to the Premier League and promotion back to the top tier, comes top-level scrutiny. It means the likes of Simon Jordan have already started talking about Leeds United again.
That is to say, Leeds often got much more coverage than any other Championship rival in the circles of the media world while in the second tier. Many more games were picked for television than other teams.
But now Leeds are back in the Premier League, they will encounter Premier League exposure. Pundits will cover Leeds more readily and one story in the newspapers this week is the future of Patrick Bamford.
It comes after Daniel Farke confirmed Bamford is not in his plans for 2025-26, leaving the Leeds striker at home while the team faced Man United in Sweden and are now in Germany for Farke’s training camp.
Jordan says Bamford is ‘not fit for purpose’, but Farke agrees
Renowned for being outspoken, Jordan told TalkSPORT this morning that Bamford is no longer “fit for purpose” in the Premier League. It comes after Bamford failed to start in the league for Leeds last term.
The one-time England man was a contender to provide back-up for Harry Kane after a 2020-21 season that proved goal-laden, a total of 17 Premier League finishes and a further eight assists for The Whites.
Jordan said: “For most of his career, he has not scored the goals the position he occupies should dictate. What is the problem with telling the truth? In this instance, it is clear the player is not fit for purpose.
“But it doesn’t mean he is not fit for purpose somewhere else. Plainspeaking, instead of doublespeak, is beneficial. People can cope with the truth as long as it is fair and is delivered in a respectful manner.”
What Farke really meant by saying Bamford needs a move
Often straight to the point, Jordan’s comments are incredibly honest. Yet, Farke clearly agrees with the former Crystal Palace owner, otherwise he would have Bamford with him, preparing for next season.
Farke dressed up the reason for removing Bamford from his Leeds plans as a benefit to Bamford. He said that Bamford needs a club where he can start games, where he is the main man – Leeds isn’t that place.
That is despite Bamford saying he could “hopefully” help his teammates. Ultimately, Farke knows he can no longer rely on Bamford and for that reason, he is a passenger in a side that can no longer carry them.
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