Former Leeds United star Carlton Palmer has indicated that the Whites’ promotion hopes this season could hinge on the club keeping Patrick Bamford fit for most of the campaign.
Mateo Joseph appeared to have leapfrogged Bamford in the pecking order of striker at Leeds and the former Chelsea star’s two appearances in the Championship this season have arrived from the bench.
The 30-year-old striker again struggled for fitness last season, scoring eight times in only 15 starts in the league for the Whites.
Many observers expected Leeds to try and sell him last summer but the club kept hold of a player who has scored 60 times in 190 appearances for the club.
The former White feels Patrick Bamford and his fitness could turn out to be the key in Leeds’ pursuit of promotion
With Bamford staying, Leeds do have an experienced number 9 in their squad but Palmer feels it all hinges on the striker’s fitness this season.
The former Leeds star is hopeful that the veteran striker will be able to contribute and still has it in him to score goals at this level
He indicated that Leeds’ bid for promotion could be bolstered if they can keep Bamford fit and get him involved on the pitch more regularly.
“He’s stayed at the football club, and they will be hoping he’s able to contribute to their aims of getting promotion this season, should they use him, at any time, that he is able to contribute with a tally of 15-20 goals”, Palmer told the Football League World.
“If they can get him to do that, he’s a tremendous finisher who knows where the back of the net is.
“If they can do that, they can get promoted this season.”
Carlton Palmer is confident of Leeds getting promoted this season
The 2023/24 season was an unprecedented Championship campaign where Leicester and Ipswich got automatic promotion with a tally of 97 and 96 points respectively.
Leeds had a tremendous campaign as well but 90 points turned out to be not good enough and they lost the playoff final to Southampton.
Palmer admitted that not getting promoted despite the high accumulation of points was unlucky for Leeds and he is certain that this is their year to get back to the top flight.
“They deserved to get promoted last season – hitting 90 points – and I believe they will get promoted this season.”
