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Reports have emerged that Chelsea "are keen" to get Patrick Bamford tied down to a long-term contract after his exploits in different loan spells he has had away from Chelsea. I say put him in the first team squad next season.
Bamford has scored goals wherever he has been and is still only 21. Okay, I understand that the goals he has scored have been in the Championship and League One but with 17 goals and counting for Middlesborough to fire them towards promotion to the Premier League, he has to be taken seriously by Jose Mourinho and everyone at the club!
News of the new deal is fantastic news and a sign that the club is looking at Bamford as someone who realistically could break into the first team. As for the player himself, it must be fantastic news bearing in mind reports would have you believe that he is currently earning £7,500 per week.
Much has been made this week of Didier Drogba and his decision to keep playing for another season before he calls time on his career. I see Bamford as the perfect replacement within the squad next season. We have Diego Costa, we have Loic Remy so why not add Patrick Bamford to that list?
Players with an eye for goal are special. It's not something you can learn, it's something you are naturally born with. Okay, you can coach and guide a striker into where he needs to be and to move into the right positions but once you are there, you still need to stick the ball in the back of net.
Patrick Bamford also strikes me as a confident character and believes 100% in his ability. It's almost as if he feels that he will score in almost every single game he plays.
People will compare him to someone like Harry Kane and the success he has had this term at Tottenham. He was given a chance with the first team and took it with both hands. I see no reason why Patrick Bamford could not do the same here.
I sincerely hope that Chelsea get this deal done as quickly as possible and tie him down for five years. I also hope they give him the chance to be part of the first team squad next season, giving him exposure here and there to Premier League football to hopefully kick on from the season afterwards. I wouldn't be surprised if he is given a season in the Premier League with somebody else on loan before he is given the chance at Chelsea which I believe is wrong.
Patrick Bamford has proven himself wherever he has been asked to play and in whatever level of football that is. Surely he should be given the opportunity of the Premier League and hopefully with Chelsea long term?
