Phil Hay: Bamford will be hurting with latest England snub after stellar season for Leeds
Patrick Bamford will be wounded after Gareth Southgate snubbed the Leeds United forward and his England dream is in tatters, according to Phil Hay.
There have been growing calls for Bamford to be given his chance to shine on the international stage after a stunning season for the Whites so far and Sky Sports reported earlier this week that he was in contention to make the next Three Lions squad.
However on Thursday afternoon Southgate revealed his squad for the March triple-header v San Marino, Albania and Poland with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins preferred instead of the 27-year-old [BBC Sport].
Writing on The Athletic website Leeds reporter Hay offered his thoughts on Southgate’s snub: “I did think this would be Bamford’s time – if only to give Southgate the chance to look at him up close,” he said.
“I wrote on here a month or so ago that it felt like now or never for Bamford. If 13 PL goals under [Marcelo] Bielsa can’t get his foot in the door, it’s quite difficult to see a point where his chance will come.
“Knowing him, he’ll be extremely disappointed about this. An England cap has become a bit of a personal dream for him.”
Down but not out
We’re disappointed for our star striker – he deserved the call and this will act as a bitter blow as alluded to by Hay.
At 27 time is starting to run out on his England chances but he will know that if he reignites his goalscoring form from earlier in the season then he will be too hot to ignore.
Bamford has only scored three times in his last 13 appearances and he will know this might have cost him his chance.
His usual prolific nature has deserted him in recent months but with 13 goals in 28 Premier League appearances and five assists to boot he should still be thoroughly proud of his efforts.
Bamford’s barren run has coincided with a drop off in our results as we have claimed victory just once in the last six.
Incidentally Watkins has endured a similar drought with no goals in his last six but a run of four in five before that may just have turned Southgate’s head and with Villa in a loftier position the England manager seems to have favoured his old club.
His connection with Jack Grealish may also have played a part with the Villa captain expected to play a big part in their European Championship campaign in the summer.
We’re confident Bamford will get over this initial snub and do his utmost to force Southgate’s hand before the tournament begins in June.
Proving the doubters wrong is what he does best.
In other Leeds United news, Gareth Southgate offers Bamford explanation after England snub.