£18m 'big miss' at Leeds a catalyst for Bielsa sacking

Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford’s prolonged absence has been a key reason for the Whites’ poor season and was a catalyst for Marcelo Bielsa’s sacking, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Bamford scored 17 goals and provided a further eight assists as Leeds marked their return to the Premier League by finishing just three points adrift of the European qualification places last season, but the 28-year-old’s unavailability has hindered the Yorkshire giants this term.

The Athletic journalist Phil Hay has revealed Bamford is nearing a return to the fold after a lengthy period of time on the sidelines and the frontman was seen training at Thorp Arch today.

But it is a case of too little, too late for Bielsa after he was sacked by Leeds after a run of five defeats from six on Sunday.

Although he has quickly been replaced by Jesse Marsch, Bamford took to social media to thank the Argentinian for his work at Elland Road.

It was Bielsa who brought Bamford to Leeds from Middlesbrough in 2018 and he went on to find the back of the net 45 times under his then-head coach.

But ankle and hamstring injuries have limited the frontman to just seven senior appearances this season, with his last coming in the 2-2 draw with Brentford in December.

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O’Rourke believes Bamford’s injuries have been key to Leeds’ demise this season, which eventually led to Bielsa being axed.

The journalist feels the striker’s presence in the attacking third has been sorely missed by the Yorkshire giants.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “Many people were expecting him to build on last term’s form this season for Leeds.

“He was a key man in Bielsa’s formation, playing as that lone