Archie Gray and Kalvin Phillips respond to Patrick Bamford’s triumphant Leeds message
Patrick Bamford became one of just 15 players to win promotion in two different seasons as Leeds United sealed their return to the Premier League.
Daniel Farke‘s side lifted the Championship title in dramatic fashion on Saturday as Manor Solomon’s injury-time strike saw them edge Plymouth Argyle 2-1 and beat Burnley to first place on goal difference.
Leeds‘ 100-point haul is the biggest tally in their entire history and their goal difference of +65 is by far the best any side in England’s top four divisions has recorded, with 95 goals scored and 30 conceded.
Celebrations across West Yorkshire have been constant since Leeds’ Premier League place was sealed, and with Farke’s future secure after speculation over a possible Elland Road exit, attention now turns to a crucial summer.
Patrick Bamford makes history as Leeds exit looms
Although Leeds plundered 95 goals this season and Joel Piroe collected the Championship Golden Boot award with 19 of them, but Bamford’s injury-hit campaign ends with zero goals or assists for the striker.
Leeds’ long-time number nine has been limited to just 17 league appearances and no starts, and his only strike of the season against Middlesbrough was wrongly disallowed for offside in last month’s 1-0 victory.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
| 1 | Leeds United | 46 | 29 | 13 | 4 | +65 | 100 |
| 2 | Burnley | 46 | 28 | 16 | 2 | +53 | 100 |
| 3 | Sheffield United | 46 | 28 | 8 | 10 | +27 | 90 |
Both Piroe and Bamford’s futures at Elland Road will come under the microscope with promotion now secure, and while the Dutchman has done his chances no harm, Bamford is well down the pecking order.
Bamford, Pascal Struijk and Illan Meslier join a list of just 15 players to win two promotions with Leeds, and the 31-year-old posted on Instagram (4 May) with several images of the celebrations at Home Park.
Ex-Leeds midfielders Archie Gray and 2020 promotion winner Kalvin Phillips both liked Bamford’s post, while another former Marcelo Bielsa favourite, Adam Forshaw, commented to call Bamford “some fella”.
Bamford bound for Elland Road exit amid Leeds transfer plans
Leeds have managed to record both a club record-breaking points tally and goal difference this season despite their number nine’s lack of output, and that leaves the writing on the wall for Bamford’s career.
Doubts over even Piroe’s Premier League credentials put Bamford a long way from first-team contention in the top tier, particularly given Football Insider revealed last month that Leeds only see six members of their squad as top-flight ready.
Mick Brown also told Football Insider that Farke “definitely” needs a new striker as one of at least six new signings this summer, and it remains to be seen if Bamford will be in the picture once the Premier League season kicks off.