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Adrian Durham slams Gareth Southgate for Patrick Bamford omission
Adrian Durham has slammed Gareth Southgate’s team selection for the Euros as he omitted Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford from his 33-man squad.
He said that Bamford is the closest striker to Kane in the Premier League and should be picked on that basis.
Southgate picked a provisional England squad for the European Championships next month and as expected did not include Bamford in his team.
After a torrid season in the Championship, Bamford bounced back to become one of the Premier League’s most reliable goal scorers.
His work rate off the ball drew him praise from fans and pundits alike, but it was not enough for Southgate to select him.
Speaking about this decision on talkSPORT, Durham said, “He [Southgate] said he saw no reason to change any of the strikers who were called up in March. He’s made that decision and he’s got to live with it.
“My issue is not the number of goals or assists Bamford’s got, but he’s the closest thing to Kane we’ve got.
“One of Bielsa’s logics in football is what are people talking about when there’s no Plan B. You just have a Plan A and get better at it. That’s what England should do. They should have a Plan A and stick to it and get better and better at it.
“Do you stick a big lump on and boot it up to him? Why not put Bamford on and stick to that footballing philosophy?”
9️⃣ “I think that he is the closest thing to Harry Kane that we have got.”
💪 “England should have an identity and stick to it. Stick to the football philosophy.”
Adrian Durham argues why Patrick Bamford should be in England’s squad. 🏴 pic.twitter.com/FGAIxzoRAd
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 25, 2021
Makes a fair argument
While Bamford and Ollie Watkins are stylistically different strikers, Bamford can offer this team what no other backup striker can.
His abilities to drop deep, link-up play, help lead the press, close down opponents and running the channels make him an ideal replacement for Kane.
In games where England are winning comfortably or if the Tottenham forward is injured, Bamford can come in and put in a shift. He brings a lot to the table more than his goal-scoring ability which very few attacking players in this side do.
This England side is tailored around playing to Kane’s strengths, and Bamford who’s identical to Kane, would thrive in this team and is undoubtedly a better fit than Watkins, Danny Ings and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Hopefully, this major omission doesn’t cost England the crown.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Fearsome’ Leeds ace set for massive international chance as player pulls out of squad – report