Patrick Bamford: Ex-manager issues Leeds new striker warning after latest update
Alex McLeish has insisted Leeds United cannot afford to take a “gamble” on signing a new striker despite Patrick Bamford’s injury woes.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted while the Whites do need cover for the 28-year-old, they need to be “100 per cent” sure before splashing the cash.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday (7 February), Marcelo Bielsa confirmed Bamford is still struggling with a foot injury suffered last month.
The Argentine boss revealed the striker is still unable to jog weeks after picking up the problem.
McLeish insisted while Bamford needs backup up front, Leeds need to be methodical in their pursuit of reinforcements.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “We have had discussions about that over the last couple of years that they need to find someone to give him a break.
“Who do you get? You look around the world strikers and you can’t get the best ones, because he’s at Liverpool or one of the top clubs.
“Then do you gamble on somebody? Nowadays it’s more analytical but back in the day I used to get phone calls about a player. I said: ‘Right, I’ll do some enquiries and I’ll get back to you.’
“I’d do 10 phone calls and maybe nine would be positives and one negative. You couldn’t quite get the negative out of your head.
“When you’re bringing players with those kind of methods, it means you don’t really know them.
“You have to be absolutely 100 per cent sure before you’re bringing in a striker. Not just a guy who might be doing well in Argentina or maybe Africa or Belgium.
“You have to be absolutely 100 per cent sure and you’re going to have to trust him.”
Bamford has only managed to play six times in the Premier League this season.
He has been sidelined by an ankle, hamstring and his current foot issue.
In other news, pundit claims Leeds United already lining up replacements for three senior stars.