Inside Elland Road: Defensive solidity is vital for Leeds Utd
Leeds United double promotion winner Patrick Bamford has joined the fight to resurrect one of last season's big rivals, at least temporarily.
The centre forward has signed a short-term deal until January with Championship strugglers Sheffield United, whose rancid start to the season has continued under Chris Wilder. The Blades sit 22nd in the second tier, despite pushing Leeds for promotion last season and ending it on 90 points. Wilder's men lost out to Sunderland in the play-off final at Wembley and he was then sacked so that Rubén Sellés could be brought in to oversee their next bid to escape the Championship. But the Blades lost all of his first six games in charge and when he was sacked they once again turned to Wilder, for a third stint in charge. Wilder too has lost six games, but also celebrated three wins and a draw. Yet their struggles in attack and the lack of options at centre forward have seen them make a move for Bamford.
Bamford and Wilder have some history going back to Marcelo Bielsa’s time in charge of Leeds. The Blades boss was interviewed during boozy promotion celebrations and spoke of ‘muppets from Leeds’ who had tried to use mind games and put pressure on Sheffield United. Bamford and Wilder then spoke on the phone at the end of last season to address the striker starting a less-than-friendly chant about the Sheffield United manager during Leeds’ promotion party at Elland Road.
A club statement said: "United have added extra firepower to the forward ranks after securing a deal to sign an England international striker. Free agent Patrick Bamford has agreed a short-term contract until January with the Blades and brings with him a wealth of experience at Premier League and Championship level.
"The 32-year-old has been looking for a club since leaving Leeds United following promotion to the Premier League last season. Starting his career at Nottingham Forest, he moved to Chelsea in 2012 and embarked on a number of loan moves where he consistently scored goals for the likes of MK Dons, Derby County and Middlesbrough.
"After short loan stays at Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Burnley, he rejoined Middlesbrough on a permanent basis in 2017 for a fee believed to be in the region of £5.5m. Another big-money move to Leeds United followed in 2018 with his goals assisting in promotion to the Premier League in 2020. He continued to score in the top flight, leading to a full England cap in 2021 against Andorra in a World Cup qualifier.
"Bamford played 18 times for Leeds last season in all competitions, earning another promotion but departed Elland Road at the end of August this year."
Leeds and Bamford reached an agreement to part company after he was informed by Daniel Farke he was no longer in the Elland Road plans. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha were signed as the physical targetmen options for Farke, with Joel Piroe and Harry Gray completing the central attacking department of Leeds' Premier League squad.
Bamford was heavily linked with a move to La Liga side Getafe and trained with Coventry City, but has finally found new employment at Bramall Lane until January. If he proves his fitness in training the striker could be in line for a baptism of fire in the Sheffield derby on Sunday November 23 when the international break ends. The Owls sit bottom of the Championship on minus four points after a deduction having gone into administration. The Blades themselves have just 10 points from 15 games.
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