Micah Richards has told the Monday Night Club on BBC Radio 5 Live that Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford is ‘one of the most underrated’ strikers in the Premier League.
The former right-back made it clear that he would have picked the recently snubbed hitman for England’s forthcoming international matches and also taken him to the Euros.
Gareth Southgate opted to pick Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins ahead of Bamford recently, which didn’t sit well with many people from Yorkshire.
Nonetheless, Richards made it clear that Bamford would be on his England squad list if it was up to him.
“I would take Bamford,” said Richards. “I love Bamford. I just think Bamford offers something different.
“I love his link-up play. He holds the line really well. Calvert-Lewin does it as well. Watkins holds the line.
“If you are asking me, would I take Bamford? I would 100% take Bamford. I’d take them both (Kane and Bamford). He’s got three strikers (in this current squad). I would have taken him (Bamford) this squad to see what he can do.
“For me, he’s one of the most underrated strikers in the Premier League. If you actually watch him, his movement and his lovely touches around the box. His left foot, you don’t know which way he’s going to turn.”
Bamford is now on the back foot in terms of not having that advantage of being picked for his country heading into the final few weeks of the season.
Whether Watkins gets selected for the Euros or not, he can now make that extra impression at St George’s Park and Bamford will have to produce those extra special performances to get picked.
There’s no doubt that the £10 million striker (BBC Sport) is unlucky to miss out this week because his performances have, at the very least, warranted a call-up.
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