No senior strikers were added to Leeds United's squad during the summer transfer window, leaving Jesse Marsch to find frontline solutions with what he has in-house. A fully-fit Patrick Bamford is a Premier League menace and England international, but a season limited to seven starts by injury has everyone holding their breath on his fitness in 2022/23.
Indeed, Bamford has already missed out on four United line-ups this term, while Rodrigo, his most experienced stand-in, started like a house on fire before ruling himself out with an injury. Joe Gelhardt is next in line and the prospect of him starting alongside Bamford was discussed by Marsch last week.
The head coach recounted a tale from last season which underlined a blossoming relationship which pitches Bamford as mentor and Gelhardt as the student. As a valuable cog in the leadership council, it’s the kind of intuition Marsch wants to see from his number nine.
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"They have a really good relationship,” he said. “Patrick has really taken Joffy under his wing and tried to help mentor him in a way, to help him grow and to be a really good striker.
“Obviously as the leader, I love seeing that. Joffy loves it too. At one point, when Patrick was hurt last year, before the Brentford game, Patrick had Covid and he sent Joffy a to-do list of things he should be thinking about in the match.
“He sent it to me and said 'Do you think it's ok if I send this to Joffy?' I said 'Perfect. Do it. Great.' That's what I want. I want to leave room for leadership and I want these guys to believe they have a big role in developing the team."
All hopes are on Bamford, Rodrigo and Gelhardt staying fit for the majority of the season, but if the buck does stop with the latter on occasions, Marsch and the support can be encouraged he has a fine tutor in an England number nine.
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