Daniel Farke has shared why Patrick Bamford was absent from Leeds United’s win at Swansea City tonight.
Joel Piroe replaced Bamford in the match against his previous club after the player was forced to withdraw during the warm-up. Bamford was supposed to start the match in South Wales.
Leeds easily handled the late substitution as they cruised to a 4-0 victory, with Piroe and Crysencio Summerville both finding the record in the first ten minutes.
It must be acknowledged, though, that Bamford has been instrumental in Leeds’ outstanding 2024 start, and Farke will be deeply hoping that he won’t be gone for too long.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Farke says Bamford was feeling some muscular/ligament problems before the game and told Farke he was not ready to play.
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Farke explains Bamford absence
He said: “Compliments to the team in these circumstances. Ten or 15 minutes before kick-off it was clear Patrick had some problems. Ligaments or muscles maybe. Came in before kick-off and said he did not feel ready to go.”
This is a gutting time for Bamford to pick up an injury having just been named as the club’s player of the month award, and saying this is the happiest he has been for a long time on the pitch.
Bamford provides an offensive quality that no other member of the team can match, but Piroe was able to step in and score against his old team to cover for the 30-year-old.
With Leeds’ hectic schedule in the upcoming weeks, Farke will need to have as many players available as possible to help the team perform as effectively as feasible.
Hopefully, it’s nothing serious, and Bamford will return in a week or two, prepared to take up where he left off.