The Boys in Green manager’s comments highlight just how committed the Whites ace is to his side’s Championship promotion quest.
Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford has decided to focus on his club’s Championship promotion fight before officially declaring for the Republic of Ireland, according to Mick McCarthy.
The 25-year-old striker has been a key member of the Whites’ quest for the Premier League this season, scoring six goals and claiming two assists in 14 league appearances, according to Transfermarkt.
Bamford played once for the Republic’s Under-18s before switching to England up until Under-21 level, but earlier this month, McCarthy told reporters – as quoted by The 42 – that the Leeds ace wanted to link up with the Boys in Green at senior level.
However, the player did not make the Republic’s squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Gibraltar and Georgia he has yet to officially declare for the nation, and McCarthy confirmed why on Thursday.
“I won’t be speaking to Patrick Bamford now, he wants to concentrate on his club career for the moment,” McCarthy told The 42. “Leeds are flying and he doesn’t want anything to distract him.
“He said that he’ll make himself available in the summer and that he just wants to concentrate on promotion with Leeds. I can understand that. He’s in the team and he’s scoring goals and Leeds want to get promoted.”
Up next for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, currently second in the table, is Saturday’s early Championship kickoff against Sheffield United at Elland Road, a huge game which, should the Whites win, would put them top of the table, five points clear of the Blades, and crank up the pressure on Norwich City, who play at 3pm.
With Bamford in form, it’ll be music to Leeds fans’ ears to hear that he’s postponing any international commitments until the end of the season to focus solely on his club’s promotion charge.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
