Patrick Bamford has seen his brilliant Leeds United form rewarded.
It was announced this afternoon that the Leeds hitman had earned a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the international break next month.
Bamford netted 17 goals Premier League goals in the Whites’ first season back in the big time last term.
But it wasn’t enough to earn a spot in the selection for the Euro 2020 finals.
However, there is a real chance of the 28-year-old – a £10 million signing by Leeds in 2018 – making his long-awaited international debut now.
Here’s how Ian Wright reacted to the promotion on Twitter:
Deserved?
Absolutely.
Only one English player scored more Premier League goals than Bamford last term – and that was Spurs marksman Harry Kane, one of the best number nines in world football.
It goes to show how much confidence and belief he has in his own ability too.
Because it’s only been a couple of years since the Republic of Ireland were trying to get Bamford to declare for them.
Mick McCarthy, who was in charge at the time, repeatedly said that he did all he could get the England-born hitman to commit his international future to the Irish, only to be met with resistance.
For context, Leeds weren’t even in the Premier League at the time, but clearly Bamford knew an international call from the Three Lions was possible, even if it seemed a million miles away, and he has been proven right in what is quite a stunning turnaround.
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