BAM AND BLAST
Bielsa tells hat-trick hero Patrick that he’s only going to get better
MARCELO BIELSA has told hat-trick hero Patrick Bamford his best games are yet to come.
The Leeds head coach is con convinced his striker – who has six goals so far this season – can get even better.
B Bamford is finally showing his wo worth at the top level, and Bielsa rec reckons the 27- year- old is rea reaching his peak as a crucial pa part of Leeds’ fine start to the cam campaign.
T There were doubts about Ba Bamford’s finishing power and wh whether he’d lead the line in the top flight, but he’s currently third in the scoring charts, behind He Heung-min Son and Dominic Ca Calvert-Lewin.
B Bielsa ( left) said ahead of the cla clash with Leicester: “Bamford can still improve. Normally, when ap a player matures, which is around this age, their qualities are defined. Bamford’s virtues have been shown on a regular basis.
“There are a lot of players with qualities, but they are not able to show them on the field.”
Midfielder Mateusz Klich said: “We are so happy for Pat after his hat-trick (against Aston Villa). Many people were not rating him as a striker but I do. He can score goals.
“He does a lot of hard work for the team as well. He has six goals and I hope he scores many more because we are going to need it.”
Bamford has explained the key to his goals, after getting just one in 27 top-flight appearances before this season.
He said: “I have work to do for the team I cannot sacrifice, but I make a conscious effort to finish each attack between the goalposts because, obviously, most goals are scored there. The more time I spend there, I’m going to get more chances.
“The level of the Premier League has got higher. As the years go on,
8 Son Heung-Min
8 Dominic Calvert-Lewin 7 Mo Salah
6 Patrick Bamford
6 Jamie Vardy football keeps developing, the players get faster and smarter. You’ve got to grow with it all of the time, otherwise you’ll get left behind.
“I’ve changed a lot physically and mentally, and I’ve got a manager who believes in me, puts his faith in me. That ’ s massive. He’s brought me on in leaps and bounds with the training methods and sometimes tough love.”
Bielsa would be delighted if Bamford was in Gareth Southgate’s thoughts for the England squad announced this week, and added: “I would be very happy if Bamford is under consideration.
“If you ask me if Bamford is a good player, I’d say yes. Compare him to the other English strikers? I wouldn’t be able to.”