Patrick Bamford's injury struggles at Leeds United are a direct consequence of the rigours of Marcelo Bielsa's intense regime during his time at Elland Road.
That is the view of former Arsenal and England forward Ian Wright, who believes Bielsa's three-and-a-half years in charge of the club has taken a 'toll on his body'.
Bamford's fortunes were transformed under Bielsa's tutelage, as his 16-goal haul helped the Whites seal promotion from the Championship in 2020.
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The 29-year-old carried on that form in his first season in the Premier League, as his 17 goals helped fire Leeds and Bielsa to a top half finish on their return to the top flight.
That form even earned Bamford his first England cap, but he then badly struggled with injuries in the following season - making just nine Premier League appearances.
That season, Bielsa lost his job, and Leeds just about avoided relegation on the final day under Jesse Marsch. Bamford has played more this season, but his campaign has still been plagued by injuries as he managed just four goals this term.
And Wright feels Bamford's fitness concerns, and lack of goals, hurt Leeds as they suffered relegation from the Premier League, claiming the Whites were too over-reliant on him.
“Patrick Bamford’s form, with such a reliance on a striker like Patrick Bamford with his injuries," Wright told his Wrighty's House podcast.
“I think [Marcelo] Bielsa’s time took a toll on his body.”
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