Tony Cascarino hails Patrick Bamford transformation at Leeds and gives England verdict
Tony Cascarino has lauded the impact of Marcelo Bielsa on Patrick Bamford but says the Leeds United striker is unlikely to break into the England squad.
The 27-year-old has not always been the most popular figure at Elland Road and he also had critics in the Premier League ready to pounce after his previous struggles in the division.
But he has been in red-hot form this season and his performances have helped Leeds to a comfortable mid-table position with Cascarino praising his mentality, something that he says has much to do with Bielsa’s influence.
The former Republic of Ireland forward was asked on talkSPORT’s ‘GameDay Breakfast with Natalie Sawyer and Tony Cascarino’ [07:15, 27/02/21] whether Bamford and Villa danger man Ollie Watkins could make late runs for the England squad for this summer’s European Championships.
He said: “I don’t think they will be [in there], but they’ve had good seasons.
“He’s got a bit of a swagger about him [Bamford], and you could always tell there was an arrogance about him.
“But he’s matured into an experienced pro.
“I think he’s become a really complete player but I put that down to the manager and him demanding him to work his socks off.”
Best defensive striker?
Cascarino has it all right on Bamford – and we would go as far as to say he is one of the most complete forwards in the Premier League right now.
Bamford has 13 goals and five assists, a total of 18 goal contributions that sits him behind only Mohamed Salah, Bruno Fernandes, Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son.
But it is not just his threat in front of goal that is so crucial to the success of this Leeds side.
According to fbref, only eight players in the league have made more pressures than his 385 this season, and none of those are centre-forwards.
That shows his constant harrying of players and refusal to give players time on the ball, and ties in completely with Cascarino’s Bielsa assessment.
Clearly, Bielsa does not allow any passengers in his side and that has spurred Bamford onto heights perhaps even he never imagined.
The reality now, though, is that the Whites forward is among England’s elite.
In other Leeds United news, our view on why this u-23 sensation must be handed a first-team chance soon.