Eddie Nketiah has left Leeds United after Arsenal cut the striker’s loan spell at Elland Road short due to a lack of playing time.  

Leeds will now turn their attention to signing a replacement, which is easier said than done considering Patrick Bamford’s prominent role in the side.

Bamford has made 25 appearances this season, with Marcelo Bielsa starting him on 24 occasions. That run of faith from the head-coach has ultimately led to Arsenal calling time on Nketiah’s Leeds spell, forcing the Whites back into a tricky market.

There’s no denying that Nketiah has had some important moments in a Leeds shirt, though. He netted the winner in August’s fixture against Brentford, made a telling impact in the 2-0 win over Barnsley and looped in a stunning header to secure a 1-1 draw with Preston North End in October.

A big five points won from the bench, but no start until December 29^th, as Leeds edged a 5-4 thriller against Birmingham City. Yet, in that game they missed Bamford’s ability to control at the top of the field, which was again missed during the opening 45 minutes of the 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion on New Year’s Day.

Bielsa surprised many by starting Nketiah, who struggled through his final 45 minutes for Leeds before Bamford replaced him at half-time. From there, Leeds didn’t look back and by the full-time whistle, it was the Whites pushing for the three points.

So, on the back of a mixed afternoon and Nketiah’s final Leeds appearance, we take a closer look at the duo’s numbers…

Both strikers played 45 minutes at The Hawthorns, but their impact was miles apart.

Nketiah, cutting an isolated figure up against Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi, was successful with only seven actions (21%), whilst Bamford was streets ahead with 31% (11/35).

In fairness to Nketiah, Leeds’ inability to defend the left and inability to clear a set-piece after only two minutes was part of the side’s downfall early on, with Ajayi breaking the deadlock at a lively Hawthorns.

However, it was tough going for the Arsenal youngster; 0 shots on target, a single duel won and only four touches in the West Brom area.

For Bamford, his impact was instant, with the 26-year-old linking play with a 100% passing accuracy, producing three efforts on goal and mustering the same amount of touches in the West Brom area as Nketiah.

More importantly about the impact Bamford was having in the West Brom area was what it brought: an equaliser on 52 minutes.

Jack Harrison’s cross from the left was met by Bamford, whose header hit Ajayi and looped beyond the diving Sam Johnstone. An own-goal on paper, Bamford’s in every other sense.

QUIZ: Leeds United in 2019 – How much do you remember about the year gone by?

There were other moments too, with Bamford forcing a save from Johnstone late on when feeding Mateusz Klich might’ve been the better option. Nevertheless, it was a telling game that settled a season-long debate in terms of Bielsa’s choice of striker.

On occasion, it has been Nketiah rescuing points from the bench, but yesterday it was the turn of Bamford, who delivered another message to his boss that he’s the main man this season as Leeds look to end their Premier League exile.

What the future holds for Nketiah remains to be seen, but his exit hasn’t been greeted with the gloom that might have been if Bamford wasn’t in the form of his life.

Bielsa proved right, Nketiah gone in a flash, and Bamford showing why he’s the man to lead this promotion push despite Arsenal sparking Leeds into life in the January window.