Gareth Southgate explains England snub for Leeds striker Patrick Bamford
Gareth Southgate has hinted that Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford could still earn an England call-up this month.
The Whites striker has been snubbed by the Three Lions on Thursday, with Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins being preferred in the final third.
Southgate admitted it was a very close call between the two strikers, although Bamford is the one left disappointed at the end of this week.
Speaking in his press conference after the Three Lions squad was announced, all hope wasn’t lost for Bamford this month.
“Very close,” he said.
“Both Ollie and Patrick, in particular, their goal records have been good, we like the personalities of both. Ollie is a player we’ve had less interaction with in the past.
“We like his pressing, we like his speed and runs in behind, he’s got some improvements to make in linking the game. That’s been a really close call, because all of the things I’ve said there about Ollie, I could have said for Patrick as well.
“He’s very unfortunate. Who knows? We could be sitting here in a few days time and we’ve had a problem, and Patrick is a player we’re very much looking at.”
What a joke.
Marcelo Bielsa confirmed that Bamford will be fit after his knock against Chelsea on Saturday, so this was solely based on form.
Looking at that, no one has scored more goals from open play than Bamford, who has also had the most attempts on target and non-penalty expected goals total.
The only positive is that there will be no concern over the striker potentially picking up a problem during the break, although we want as many players representing our country as possible.
Southgate did admit that Jude Bellingham may not be allowed to travel which could open another spot in the squad, and with problems in midfield, it could open the door to Bamford.
No one deserves this more than the Whites striker, with only Harry Kane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring more in this squad this season.
Let’s hope he still gets his chance.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites want to sign Orkun Kokcu with £10.3m valuation