Phillips digs at Bielsa after Leeds hit by ‘huge blow’ today to Bamford
Kevin Phillips “feels sorry” for Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford as his injury woes continue.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the 2000 European Golden Shoe winner suggested Marcelo Bielsa was to blame for causing the 28-year-old’s extended absence by overplaying him last season.
As reported by journalist Phil Hay (November 19th), Bielsa revealed Bamford is progressing “positively” but a Leeds source has told Football Insider today that he is not close to a return.
Bamford has been sidelined with an ankle injury since the 1-1 draw at Newcastle United in mid-September.
Phillips believes the amount of minutes Bamford played last season is the cause of his injury.
“I feel sorry for him,” he told Football Insider.
“The injury is probably a culmination of the amount of football he was made to play last season. I might be completely wrong but having played the game, he played an awful lot of minutes last season.
“He is a big lad and there will have been a lot of stress going through the joints and muscles.
“It is a huge blow that he is not near a return. From the player’s point of view, it is gutting.
“He just got into the England squad and was on top of the world. He must now be wondering when he is going to be fit again.
“We all knew that this was potentially going to happen and they still left themselves short. It was clear to see that this was a risk.”
In other news, a Leeds employee is left thrilled by Koch injury latest as new footage emerges.