---
title: "Leeds: Patrick Bamford tipped to replicate Ian Wright"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-patrick-bamford-tipped-to-replicate-ian-wright/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2021-06-01T16:40:12Z"
modified: "2021-06-01T16:40:12Z"
---

# Leeds: Patrick Bamford tipped to replicate Ian Wright

**Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has tipped Patrick Bamford to replicate Arsenal legend Ian Wright in the coming years.**

### The Lowdown: Bamford excels for Leeds

There were a number of standout figures for the Whites in their first season back in the Premier League, but none more so than Bamford.

The Englishman [scored 17 goals and registered seven assists](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/109670/Show/Patrick-Bamford) in the league, standing out as one of the best attacking players in the division.

It has been quite a turnaround for Bamford, who hasn’t always been rated so highly but has thrived with Marcelo Bielsa at the helm, also being [hailed](https://metro.co.uk/2021/04/17/jurgen-klopp-reserves-special-praise-for-exceptional-patrick-bamford-ahead-of-liverpools-clash-against-leeds-14426018/) as ‘exceptional’ by Jurgen Klopp.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″\]

### The Latest: Whelan makes big prediction

Speaking to [*Football Insider*](https://www.footballinsider247.com/noel-whelan-convinced-leeds-have-next-ian-wright-in-their-ranks/), Whelan, who [regularly comments on matters at Thorp Arch](https://www.footballinsider247.com/whelan-thrilled-as-senior-leeds-figure-shares-picture-of-massive-training-development/), used Wright as a perfect comparison for Bamford, in terms of remaining a top striker over a sustained period of time:

> “When you take about strength of character, he’s definitely got it. He’s faced a lot of adversity in his career when he’s been at Palace, Chelsea and Middlesbrough.
>
> “He’s always been one of those players where you want to see a bit more from, you think there’s more to come. There were always question marks there but he’s come back and proven himself.
>
> “He has a strong character and a good mentality. He’s proved those doubters wrong with his goals.  He’s the second-top scoring Englishman in the Premier League, you can’t do any more than that.
>
> “Next season is another big one. He’s 27 now and in his prime. This is when you get the best football out of yourself.
>
> “After getting 17 last season he will be a marked man, the best players overcome that. Your Alan Shearers and Ian Wrights.
>
> “They scored at least 20 every season in spite of being targeted by defenders, that’s Bamford’s challenge now and he can be the next Ian Wright, for sure.”

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### The Verdict: Hitting his prime

At 27, Bamford is a player at his peak and there is no reason why that will change over the next four or five years.

Pace has never been a key aspect of the striker’s game, relying more on his intelligent movement, while more maturity could bring even more composure and belief in front of goal.

Bamford is a huge player for Leeds moving forward and he deserves immense praise for the strides he has made in recent years, silencing the doubters in the process.

***In other news, one Leeds player has been tipped to become a ‘god’ at the club eventually. Find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-raphinha-tipped-to-become-whites-god/).***