Leeds United have not struggled for goals this season. Of the 20 sides in the Premier League, only five have scored more. One of those teams, Liverpool, scored nine goals in one game against Bournemouth last weekend. However, despite Leeds scoring reasonably well and sitting in a very respectable fifth place after four games, they still have issues to address in attack. Patrick Bamford is the only senior striker at the club, something they may look to address as deadline day nears.
Bamford enjoyed a superb campaign in Leeds’ first season back in the top flight in 2020-21. The striker netted 17 league goals, answering his critics once and for all. After proving he belongs at Premier League level, Bamford endured a nightmare 2021-22 season. Injury limited the 28-year-old to just nine league appearances as his team floundered. A change of manager, from Marcelo Bielsa to Jesse Marsch, followed as Leeds just about stayed in the division.
The impact of Bamford’s absence cannot be overstated. Without his goals and diligent running up top, Leeds looked a far meeker side than they had when finishing ninth the season before. With Bamford recovering from an abductor injury that has seen him play two out of Leeds’ opening four fixtures this season, concerns are understandable.
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Beyond Bamford, Leeds also cannot call upon last season’s top scorer. Raphinha’s 11 Premier League goals from out wide were pivotal in keeping the Whites up last year. But he has joined the stockpile of easy-to-sign, hard-to-register talent at Camp Nou, taking his goals with him.
Rodrigo seems set to make up some of that shortfall. The former Valencia man has flattered to deceive at Elland Road, scoring seven and six goals in his previous two campaigns. But this year, perhaps freed by the lack of other options, the Brazilian has four goals in three games. If he can continue at this rate he can be a huge asset. What he won’t do is provide cover for Bamford. The England international is a centre forward whereas Rodrigo operates from a deeper forward role or from the wing.
The window of opportunity is closing for Marsch to add more firepower to his line-up. Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl appears to have slammed the door shut on any bids for Che Adams, who has four goals in his last two appearances. Hwang Hee-Chan has been linked in some quarters. While his previous work with Marsch at Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig justifies the move, his total of five goals in 34 appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers is a concern.
Armando Broja is another name frequently brought up whenever a club outside the top six is in need of a forward. The Chelsea striker impressed at Southampton on loan last season, and with the player back at his parent club Hasenhuttl would be powerless to stop this one. Another hotly-debated name in this window has been Chile international Ben Brereton-Diaz. The Blackburn Rovers striker is reportedly on Leeds’ radar, but the forward is also a target for Everton, Newcastle United and a host of other Premier League teams. With 22 goals in the Championship last season, it is easy to see why.
It remains to be seen who, if anyone, Leeds bring in to alleviate the burden on Bamford. While the promising likes of Sam Greenwood and Joe Gelhardt can play up there, it feels too early in their development to rely on them heavily. Rodrigo’s upturn in form is encouraging, but the possibility of him regressing to the mean means other options should be sought. Leeds have started the season well, but one feels more firepower is needed to sustain the ascent.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject to Change
