Latest News

Patrick Bamford identifies Leeds United trio on verge of significant personal developments

|
Image for Patrick Bamford identifies Leeds United trio on verge of significant personal developments

Cody Drameh, Sam Greenwood and Lewis Bate could all soon be pushing for places in Leeds United’s first-team.

That’s according to Whites’ striker Patrick Bamford, who has clearly been impressed by what he has seen from the young trio recently.

Drameh, Greenwood and Bate – the latter a signing from Chelsea this summer – have all impressed for Leeds at Under 23 level recently, despite the fact they are all still teenagers.

That is something they are now taking onto the international stage, with the trio combining to score for England’s Under 21s side in their 1-1 draw with Italy during the October international break.

Drameh and Bate have both yet to make a first-team appearance for Leeds, while Greenwod’s sole senior outing came as a substitute in the FA Cup defeat to Crawley back in January.

Now though, it seems Bamford believes that the trio are not far away from breaking into Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team on a consistent basis.

Speaking on the Leeds United podcast, Bamford said: “My moment to the week was England’s under-21, the equaliser against Italy, it was made in Leeds.

“We had Cody Drameh on the right, crossed it in, little flick from Sam Greenwood and then Lewis Bate finishes in the bottom left.”

Asked about the possibility of those three forcing their way into the first-team at Elland Road, the striker said: “Yeah, they’re close. I think what the gaffer has shown is that anyone who earns their chance will be given it. People who work hard will be given a chance. He’s not afraid to put the young ones in if they deserve it.”

It may not be a surprise if Bamford is proven to be correct here.

With that international experience, these three Leeds player will be playing with and against individuals who may be starting to get a taste of senior football under their belts themselves.

The fact therefore, that they are making an impact in those games, suggests they themselves may be deserving of a chance in Bielsa’s side in the not too distant future.

Their performances for Leeds at youth level also back that up, and it would now doubt be a popular move among the club’s fanbase if they were to bring through three more youngsters from the youth ranks in the months to come.

Share this article

UCLan Sports Journalism graduate. Have been working for Leeds All Over since summer 2020, and can only be found writing on Football League World.