Aston Villa are the latest club to be linked with a move for chronic loanee and Chelsea starlet Patrick Bamford, according to reports from the Birmingham Mail.
Since moving to the Blues from Nottingham Forest back in 2012, Bamford has spent all of his time out on loan, gathering playing time at a total of five clubs.
The young English striker’s fortunes have been mixed. Two terrific spells at both MK Dons and Middlesborough, and a decent enough one spent at Derby were followed to two bitterly disappointing tenures at both Crystal Palace and Norwich, where Bamford failed to register on the scoresheet for either side.
Bamford’s scoring record at the former three clubs was mightily impressive, as he netted 48 times in a total of 110 appearances between the three sides, and won the Championship Player of the Year award during to 2014-15 season with Boro.
The forward has been vocal about his disappointing at the lack of opportunity’s at parent club Chelsea, however this year be his time to shine as a new era at Stamford Bridge beckons with incoming manager Antonio Conte looking to rejuvenate the clubs fortunes.
Here are FOUR reasons why Chelsea and Conte should no longer ignore Bamford’s talent and give him the chance he deserves at the Bridge…..
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FOUR REASONS!
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Lack of options
It is no secret Chelsea have struggled for options up front over the years.
While they may have found their new Didier Drogba in Diego Costa, the lack of strength in depth is worrying.
Falcao is set to leave after yet another dismal loan spell, Loic Remy has also failed to perform and Alexandre Pato seems destined to sit on the bench for eternity.
The spaces for an opportunity are there.
Proven Record
As mentioned above, Bamford really has proven his credentials whilst out on loan, managing to replicate his good form in two different tiers of English football and with three separate clubs.
While his spells with Premier League clubs Norwich and Crystal Palace were disappointing, Bamford cannot be blamed nor should be judged considering the relative lack of opportunities and playing time at either club.
Itching to Go
Bamford has previously reaffirmed his desire in The Mirror to make his way into the Chelsea line-up last summer, stating: “I don’t have any reason not be at Chelsea. It is my dream to put on that blue shirt and play for them eventually.”
With Mourinho – who is notoriously stingy with the time given to his young players – out of the picture, the striker’s turn to impress could be just around the corner.
Guus’ Legacy
Guus Hiddink did what not many other Chelsea manager’s over the years have done at all and give the youth some (still arguably not enough) playing time.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Kenedy had their fair share of game time throughout the campaign and both managed to stamp their mark at Stamford Bridge.
Perhaps most similarly to Bamford however was Blues forward Bertrand Traore who scored 5 goals during the time he was given and impressed heavily. If it worked once, why wouldn’t it work again?
