Danny Mills has claimed Patrick Bamford could be “better suited” to the Premier League as he hailed the Leeds United striker’s talent.
Speaking on Proper Sport’s LS11 podcast(18:05), the former United right-back has been impressed by the performances of Bamford since he recovered from his second serious knee injury of the season.
The Chelsea academy product, signed for £7million from Middlesbrough last summer, scored twice in last Friday’s 4-0 hammering of West Brom at Elland Road.
“You don’t come through the Chelsea system and have all those loan deals and moves, and do very well, unless you have ability,” Mills said. “He has always had that thing, ‘Is he quite good enough for the Premier League?’ Almost too good for the Championship.
“The way he plays is probably better suited to Premier League football, but he’s never quite been able to sustain it for an extended period.
“He’s been at big clubs in high pressure situations. That’s what it comes down to when you’re looking to get over the line.”
OPINION
Now he is getting an extended run in the Leeds team, Bamford is starting to showcase the quality that persuaded the club to make the 25-year-old their most expensive signing for a decade-and-a-half. The former England Under-21 international is a class act. He has the composure and deft touch that separates him from most Championship players, and his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations could prove decisive in the promotion run-in. With six goals from 13 matches in a Leeds shirt, Bamford has given glimpses of the ability that was especially clear for all to see at Middlesbrough, Derby County and MK Dons. It is not too late for him to make it at Premier League level, and there is a growing sense he could be the player that pushes Leeds over the top-two finish line over the next two months.