Leeds United centre-forward Patrick Bamford looks set to start the Whites’ meeting with Aston Villa this weekend.
What’s the latest?
That’s according to Beren Cross, with the journalist hinting in a recent Q&A for Leeds Live that, while Jesse Marsch is yet to provide an update on the current condition of the 29-year-old, considering his performance in the U23s’ victory over Southampton earlier this month, it would appear as if the England international is fully fit ahead of the Villa match.
In response to a question asking for an update on the squad, Cross said: “Bamford was one of those who featured in Premier League 2 game and although I didn’t watch, reports suggest he did well. Our assumption is he is fit and ready to go against Villa.”
Huge boost for Marsch
While it is true that Bamford has started a total of just nine Premier League fixtures in both the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns, the news that the striker looks fit and ready to feature from the off against Villa is undoubtedly great news for Jesse Marsch and his side.
Indeed, the £16.6m-rated hitman more than proved just how crucial he is within the Whites’ attack over his 38 Premier League appearances in 2020/21, scoring 17 goals, providing seven assists and creating five big chances for his teammates.
That was in addition to a number of other impressive metrics, taking an average of 2.8 shots – 1.3 of which hit the target – and making 0.8 key passes per game.
These returns saw the £35k-per-week forward average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.01, not only ranking him as the Whites’ joint seventh-best performer in the league but also as the joint fourth top goalscorer in the top flight that season.
As such, while goalscoring has not exactly been a problem for Marsch’s side so far this season – having already bagged ten over their six league fixtures – it is nevertheless clear to see that the return of the prolific striker will come as a huge boost to Leeds’ chances of sealing all three points against Villa this weekend – something the American manager will certainly be desperate for after a run of three games without a win.
