Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford has heaped praise on former club Chelsea for the progress made under manager Frank Lampard. Bamford recently found the back of the net against the Blues in the Premier League, but the west London side made a terrific comeback to three goals in what ended up as a comfortable win.
The Blues are currently one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League and Bamford has acknowledged that the Whites were outplayed by the capital outfit, he told The Athletic’s Ornstein and Chapman Podcast: “We nit-pick everything really. Our physical stats weren’t bad but Chelsea really outperformed what they’ve done the rest of the season, in terms of physically. Then obviously we know about Chelsea how good they are. ‘I think that’s probably the best team we’ve played this year.”
Frank Lampard’s side made a slow start to the campaign with just two wins from the opening six league games, but they have since won four of the next five games. They look good value to offer a challenge for the Premier League title, but much will depend on whether they can sustain the form over an extended period of time.
Meanwhile, Leeds are languishing in the bottom half of the standings, but they have played some exciting football. The west Yorkshire outfit have looked a potent threat on the attack, but there is work to be done at the back as they are still vulnerable from set-pieces. Marcelo Bielsa has been lauded for transforming Leeds’ fortunes, but he now has the task of shoring up their backline such that they can stay well clear of the relegation places.
Bamford had a decent Championship campaign with Leeds last term where he scored 16 goals, but he was criticised by a section of the fans for squandering multiple clear-cut scoring chances. He has improved on that aspect with the return to top-flight football and has netted seven goals from his 11 appearances.