Steve McClaren told the Football Show on Sky Sports (19/05/21 at 11:10 am) that he has been ‘really, really surprised’ by Leeds striker Patrick Bamford.
The ex-England boss managed the thriving Leeds man during his days at Derby when he was still trying to make a name for himself.
At the time, Bamford was trying to break through at the jam-packed Chelsea academy, but his performances in the Championship weren’t helping his cause.
In the end, after a few stumbles, he ended up at Leeds and has been transformed by Marcelo Bielsa.
McClaren spoke about Bamford’s ‘poacher’ like ability and how he has ‘developed’ his game since he last managed him.
“Patrick is one of them players who has really, really surprised me,” said McClaren. “I took him as a young player to Derby.
“He was on-loan, the second half of the season, played 15 games and scored ten goals from the right side in a front three. And he was a poacher. He was a goalscorer. What he needs is an arm around him and to be loved.
“To be fair, he went to Leeds and on many, many occasions, at the end of the season, ‘we need a goalscorer. Get rid of Patrick’.
“But Bielsa put his arm around him. Trusted him. Gave him the license to play. Always played him and he has rewarded him throughout in the Championship and in the Premier League. He has adapted and developed his game.”
Harry Kane is the only Englishman to have scored more goals than Bamford which shows how far he has come in his career.
In the Championship, as Leeds were trying to earn promotion, Bamford was guilty of missing a lot of big chances, which would see him being criticised quite a lot by supporters.
But with less pressure on Leeds in the Premier League, because they aren’t expected to win every game, it has seemingly helped his game and he is now one of the best forwards in England’s top-flight.
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