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Patrick Bamford has told That Peter Crouch Podcast that he broke Marcelo Bielsa’s glasses and cut the Leeds United manager’s nose during a crossing drill in training recently – and the Argentine has continued to use said glasses.
Bamford, 27, has been excellent this season. His finishing has improved throughout 2020-21, netting 14 goals in 33 Premier League appearances for the Whites – including efforts against Chelsea, Liverpool and plenty of others.
Leeds have gone unbeaten in the last six Premier League games and in interviews after the match, certainly after the 2-1 win over Manchester City, fans began to notice that Bielsa’s glasses were somewhat wonky – or broken.
Now, Bamford has revealed all behind Bielsa’s glasses – admitting it is his fault as his better finishing, combined with Bielsa’s positioning in a training drill, caused the Argentine to suffer a facial injury and broken spectacles.
“This season, we were doing a crossing drill,” Bamford said. “He always positions himself in an awkward place – the ball has come in and I’ve connected with it so sweetly on my left. Near the top corner, and he’s stood inside the goal.
“The ball has come flush off the bridge of his nose and all I’ve seen is his glasses fly 10 metres in the air and him holding his nose. He’s walked off, and I’ve said ‘Sorry, sorry’. He’s gone angrily ‘de nada’ – it’s nothing.
“Five minutes later, he has a big cut on his nose. In the last few weeks, he has been using the same glasses and they’re not straight in interviews – they’re wonky. I should get him a new pair but I feel bad to bring him up again.”
TBR’s view – Bielsa personality just as endearing behind the scenes
In the watchful eye of the media and Leeds fans, Bielsa has gained mass admiration for the odd public viewing in Costa Coffee or Morrisons, close to his small house in Wetherby – or walking to training, despite owning a VW Golf.
Clearly, his relationship with the players is just as affectionate – and loved by fans. To eventually laugh off a left-footed strike from Leeds’ star striker and suffer an injury and broken glasses just shows the class of the man.
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