Leeds United‘s computerized promotion possibilities took a giant hit on Saturday as they failed to choose up any factors from their journey to the CBS Enviornment within the Championship.
The Whites have been overwhelmed 2-1 by Coventry Metropolis, who have been 2-0 up inside 50 minutes because of objectives from Haji Wright and Ellis Simms, and now sit third in the division.
They didn’t benefit from Ipswich City’s 1-0 defeat to rivals Norwich Metropolis within the early kick-off on Saturday. A win would have moved them two factors away from the Tractor Boys, and they’re now one behind with 5 video games left to play for each groups.
Daniel Farke‘s aspect want to complete strongly and hope that Kieran McKenna’s males slip up once more alongside the best way. In any other case, they might want to undergo the play-offs to safe promotion again to the Premier League on the first time of asking.
One participant who must up his sport over the approaching weeks is former England worldwide Patrick Bamford, who had a nightmare towards Coventry.
The skilled marksman, as FFC explained on Sunday, had a howler with one ‘big chance’ missed and 6 of his eight duels misplaced throughout his time on the pitch.
Just below three years in the past, Leeds determined to promote academy striker Rafa Mujica, and it now seems as if former sporting director Victor Orta fumbled the membership’s dream Bamford improve in doing so.
Rafa Mujica’s Leeds story
The Whites swooped in to signal the younger centre-forward on a free transfer from Spanish giants Barcelona, after his contract with the LaLiga aspect expired in the summertime of 2019.
As per Leeds’ announcement on the time, Mujica had scored seven goals in 33 video games for Barcelona B throughout the 2018/19 marketing campaign, which satisfied the membership to convey him in to strengthen Carlos Corberan’s attacking choices for the U23 aspect.
Over the next two seasons, the younger marksman frolicked on mortgage with Extremadura, Villarreal CF B, Actual Oviedo, and UD Las Palmas and didn’t make a single look for Leeds at senior stage.
|
Rafa Mujica |
Extremadura |
Villarreal B |
Actual Oviedo |
Las Palmas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
8 |
7 |
5 |
13 |
|
Targets |
0 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
|
Assists |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
As you’ll be able to see within the desk above, the previous Spain U21 worldwide didn’t get pleasure from a profitable day trip on mortgage again in his residence nation, though he did handle seven objectives in 12 appearances for Villarreal B and Actual Oviedo mixed.
In the summertime of 2021, after two years at Elland Street, Mujica was bought to Las Palmas on a permanent deal for an undisclosed payment, having scored one aim in 13 matches on mortgage.
He spent one yr with the Spanish aspect on a everlasting foundation earlier than a transfer to Arouca in Portugal, the place the 25-year-old star is presently outperforming Bamford.
Patrick Bamford’s season in numbers
The 30-year-old striker has left a bit to be desired in entrance of aim with some less-than-impressive ending within the Championship thus far this season.
Bamford has discovered the again of the online seven times in 30 appearances within the division, with a aim each 189 minutes on common, for the Whites.
These seven objectives have come from an Expected Goals (xG) of 9.31, and because of this the attacker has underperformed his xG by 2.31 – the second most within the squad, solely behind Georginio Rutter (-8.14).
This reveals that the previous Chelsea academy graduate has not made the many of the alternatives which have come his approach within the closing third thus far this time period.
Bamford has solely scored seven instances in 30 appearances and scored two fewer than his xG means that he ought to have. His wasteful nature was pricey towards Coventry as he missed a ‘big chance’ and failed to attain from 0.55 xG in a 2-1 loss for Leeds.
The Whites could now look again on their choice to half methods with the then-22-year-old Mujica again in 2021 as a mistake, because the proficient finisher has gone on to grow to be a top quality centre-forward.
Why Rafa Mujica can be an improve on Patrick Bamford
The 25-year-old Arouca star produced 14 goals and one assist in 32 appearances in all competitions throughout his debut season with the Portuguese aspect final time period.
Through the present marketing campaign, Mujica has racked up a staggering 21 goals and four assists in 33 outings in all competitions, while no Leeds participant has scored greater than Crysencio Summerville’s 18 goals this season.
The Spanish whiz, who scored two goals towards Braga on Saturday, has plundered an eye catching 18 goals in 27 matches within the Portuguese top-flight.
|
23/24 league season |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
27 |
30 |
|
Sofascore ranking |
7.23 |
6.82 |
|
Targets |
18 |
7 |
|
Assists |
3 |
1 |
|
Aim dialog fee |
18% |
15% |
|
Stats through Sofascore |
||
As you’ll be able to see within the desk above, the previous Leeds teenager has considerably outperformed Bamford in entrance of aim thus far this season of their respective leagues, with way more objectives, extra assists, and a significantly larger Sofascore ranking, in fewer appearances.
He has discovered the again of the online 18 instances from an xG of just 14.76, which signifies that the Arouca marksman has outperformed his xG by 3.24 in whole, while no Leeds participant has outperformed their xG by more than 2.68.
Viktor Gyokeres, who performed within the Championship for Coventry final season, has scored 22 goals from 17.24 xG (+4.76) for Sporting in Portugal this time period and is reportedly valued at £68.5m forward of the summer time switch window.
The Sweden worldwide, who is similar age as Mujica, has solely scored 4 extra league objectives than the ex-Leeds gem however is valued at a staggering payment.
It is going to now be attention-grabbing to see whether or not or not the Arouca star generates any curiosity in his companies forward of the summer time, and what kind of payment he may command.
Leeds, who already seem to have fumbled a dream Bamford improve with the proficient ace, may additionally stay to remorse an enormous missed payday if the Portuguese aspect go on to rake in a giant payment for his signature.
For now, although, it’s secure to say that Orta had a howler when he cashed in on Mujica because the deadly ahead has been on fireplace over the previous two seasons, and has been considerably higher than the English striker has been for the Yorkshire-based aspect.
