Former Premier League midfielder Keith Gillespie believes Patrick Bamford has found the perfect club to help project 27-year-old into future England squads.
The Leeds United frontman has scored 14 goals and assisted seven others this season as the Lilywhites make a strong return to the Premier League.
Having been left out of Gareth Southgate’s most recent squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, many may be wondering whether Bamford has realistic prospects of making the cut for this summers European Championships.
However, Gillespie, who played 238 times in the top-flight across spells with various clubs, has told Football FanCast that Bamford is perfectly placed to make a late charge:
“I think he’s found the perfect home, Bamford.
“That’s not to say he couldn’t go on again because I have been impressed with him. I think there’s a chance that he could make that squad for the Euros for England. You look at someone like Ollie Watkins, who’s done really well, it’s maybe a toss-up between them two, who was going to be that choice of strikers in that squad. Watkins came on and scored, and does really well, but Bamford is definitely knocking on the door.”
The 46-year-old Northern Irishman also warned Leeds that perceived ‘big six’ clubs could well be keeping tabs on their striker, saying: “I’m sure clubs are maybe standing up and taking notice, he knows where the back of the net is and he’s proved that this season.”
Will Patrick Bamford make the England squad?
Yes
No
Bamford, who was lauded by Fulham manager Scott Parker as being ‘right up there’ with the top flight’s most lethal forwards, was ultimately overlooked in favour of call ups for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ollie Watkins, both of whom have directly contributed to fewer goals this season than the Leeds man.