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Perfect Bamford replacement? Leeds could replace Patrick Bamford with 16-year-old star who’s making waves behind the scenes
Leeds United are currently battling to secure automatic promotion from the Championship after falling short of reaching the Premier League last season.
The Whites extended their lead over third place to eight points on Saturday following a 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion, with 11 matches remaining in the regular campaign.
Daniel Farke’s side have been excellent in the Championship and sit at the top of the table, but not every player has met expectations.
One such player is Patrick Bamford, who has had a frustrating season and should be moved on in the summer.
Why Leeds Should Part Ways with Patrick Bamford
According to a report from Football Insider in October, Bamford plans to leave Leeds at the end of the season due to his lack of playing time.
The 31-year-old striker has made just 10 appearances in the Championship this term, all as a substitute, with Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe favored as the primary number nine.
Bamford has also missed the last 10 matchday squads due to a hamstring injury, and it’s unclear when he will be available again.
Given that he hasn’t been a regular starter for Farke and has struggled with injuries, Leeds should look to move on from the experienced striker in the summer. This would free up a squad spot for a more reliable option.
The Starlet Who Could Replace Bamford
Rather than splashing millions in the transfer market to find a replacement for Bamford, Leeds could promote Harry Gray from the academy to join the first-team squad.
Farke made a bold decision in the summer of 2023 by promoting Harry’s brother, Archie Gray, despite him not having made a senior appearance, and it’s fair to say that decision has paid off.
Harry, who won’t turn 17 until October this year, could potentially make the top five youngest players to debut for Leeds, and possibly even break into the top three.
While it’s unlikely he’ll top the list, his inclusion in the senior squad is very much a possibility.
Analyst Ben Mattinson has praised Harry as “more talented” than his brother and described him as a “killer” number nine who has been excelling at youth level this season.
He scored two goals in four U21 matches and eight goals in 11 U18 games last term.
Recent reports from journalist Joe Donnohue have confirmed that Gray has already trained with the first team and is “making all the right noises” behind the scenes, showing that he is catching the eye at Thorp Arch.
While it’s important not to rush his development, Farke has already demonstrated his willingness to give young players a chance, as seen with Archie.
If Harry continues to impress, he could be promoted to the senior squad as the third-choice striker, taking Bamford’s place this summer.
Bringing the 16-year-old into the fold as a backup to Piroe and Joseph would also save Leeds significant money, which could be redirected to strengthen other areas of the team.
