Report: Bamford was angry with 22-year-old Leeds player's passing during pre-season friendly, screamed at him

By Ben Evans

Patrick Bamford was furious with Pascal Struijk‘s passing during Leeds United’s emphatic 6-2 pre-season victory against Cagliari.

In a report from Leeds Live, Bamford made his feelings known to the Dutchman at one point in the second half after failing to deliver a cross.

Bamford had just scored his first goal of the game – and his first goal of pre-season – and was screaming for Struijk to find him with a cross, but the stand-in full back couldn’t deliver.

Struijk’s appearance at left-back was a dress rehearsal ahead of this weekend’s Premier League opener against Wolves, and is expected to start that game in the unfamiliar role.

The 22-year-old didn’t see much of the ball during the first-half, with Jesse Marsch’s preferring to use new signing Rasmus Kristensen on the right-hand side to start their attacks, but Struijk grew into the game.

Bamford furious with Struijk’s passing, will have to improve on Saturday

You can understand the frustration from Bamford as he looks to get his Leeds career back on track.

An important figure in Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League, Bamford went on to score an impressive 17 goals in their first season back in the top flight, earning himself an England cap in the process.

However, injuries ruined his season last year, and now that he’s back to full fitness, he’ll be hoping that Struijk can improve his deliveries when the season begins at the weekend.

The ‘exceptional’ Bamford will want to hit the ground running for another reason, as his place in the starting line-up could be under threat.

Leeds have been trying to bring in another striker this summer, with suggestions that they may have to break their transfer record in order to secure their target.