Leeds in Trouble? 🚨 £10m Player Becoming the New Bamford Faster Than Expected
Leeds United are now through to the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1987.
The Whites' away faithful were taken on a rollercoaster ride at the London Stadium, as a two-goal lead was thrown away in added-on time by the Premier League visitors during the initial 90 minutes.
Thankfully, Daniel Farke and Co were ultimately victorious via the high-stakes drama of a penalty shootout, as Pascal Struijk smashed home the decisive spot-kick.
The German would have been thankful that he had Dominic Calvert-Lewin among his options on the bench, as the former Everton marksman picked up his 11th goal of the season during normal time, before he also confidently got the better of Hammers stopper Finlay Herrick during the pulsating penalty shootout.
Thanks to the summer arrival of that man Calvert-Lewin, Leeds have been able to quickly forget about waving goodbye to loyal club servant Patrick Bamford last summer, as the experienced EFL striker wasn't deemed ready for another Premier League challenge.
The reasons behind Bamford's exit from Leeds
Bamford is now on the books of Leeds' near Yorkshire rivals, Sheffield United, as he continues to live up to his reputation as a feared striker in the Championship.
Indeed, this season for Chris Wilder's men, as he moved to the Blades right after his Elland Road contract was ripped up, the 32-year-old striker has a hefty ten goals to his name from 23 appearances, with the well-travelled centre-forward very comfortable residing in the second tier.
It's when he's been removed from his EFL sanctuary where Bamford has struggled, with only 24 goals coming his way across 104 Premier League appearances for his ex-employers.
In stark contrast, he has bagged a lethal 78 strikes from 239 games in the Championship, with no hard feelings on the veteran attacker's end, surely, that the Whites released him, as he will know he was out of his depth in the bright lights of the main division.
In the present day, Leeds may well have another Bamford situation brewing.
Leeds have found another Bamford
It is a big struggle to adjust to the Premier League when you've been so used to the hustle and bustle of the EFL's main league.
The Whites have found that out the hard way in recent years, with constant relegation battles on the menu whenever they've leaped up to the top-flight.
Thankfully, this season, they stand a chance at securing safety, but Farke cannot rely on Joel Piroe to lead the line in nervy games to come, even if he did secure the Championship Golden Boot accolade just last campaign.
The brand-new Suriname international powered home 19 league goals last season, as Farke and Co lifted the Championship title in style, but he has looked unsure and timid ever since making the daunting move up.
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