"Bit surprised" - Journalist reacts after recent big Marcelo Bielsa decision at Leeds

Leeds United’s decision not to sign a striker in the recently concluded January transfer window left journalist Pete O’Rourke ‘a bit surprised’.

The Whites have so far struggled to replicate the impressive form of last season that guided them to a ninth-placed finish following a 16-year absence from the Premier League.

It was a magnificent return to the top-flight for Marcelo Bielsa’s charges in 2020/21 as their innovative and expansive style of play brought excitement and results in almost equal measure.

Their haul of 62 league goals saw them outscore European champions and fourth-placed Chelsea and become one of the most entertaining outfits in the division.

However, injuries to a handful of key players throughout the current campaign have significantly hampered Leeds’ progress this time around.

The likes of Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips and Luke Ayling have all spent substantial spells on the sidelines, but it’s arguably Patrick Bamford’s prolonged absence that has had the biggest impact.

Bamford was the Elland Road outfit’s leading marksman last term, bagging 17 goals and laying on eight assists in 38 Premier League appearances.

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Yet an ankle injury and a hamstring problem have limited the 28-year-old to just five starts in 2021/22, severely blunting Leeds’ attacking options.

In Bamford’s absence, Leeds have only managed to score 27 goals in their 22 league fixtures and are hovering just three places above the relegation zone as a result.

O’Rourke has revealed he was quite shocked that the West Yorkshire side didn’t sign a replacement striker, therefore, although revealed it wasn’t considered a ‘top priority position’ by Bielsa.

He told