What great news that was today about Patrick Bamford getting called up for England.
It’s a call he’s fully deserved and I bet he’s absolutely buzzing about it.
This is something he’s worked so hard for over the years and I know it’s been a lifelong ambition for him to play for the full England team.
It’s no secret that a few years ago at Middlesbrough, the Republic of Ireland did their homework on his family and had identified him as someone who qualified for them. Pat resisted Mick McCarthy’s interest – despite others advising him to go for it – because he had a belief that one day, if he continued working hard and made the right decisions, he would put himself in contention for the country of his birth.
What an advertisement for self-belief that is. I don’t know if he wondered if that chance had passed him by when he didn’t make it into this summer’s provisional squad for the Euros, but it’s all paid for off for him now, and I know it will be a proud day for him and his family when he steps out for his country for the first time as a senior international.
Ironically, I had a blog post already prepared about Pat before this announcement because I was going to say that while the club may not have been as active in the transfer market as some maybe expected this summer, the signing of him on a five-year contract is the best business they could have done.
In getting the deal finalised, the club have secured one of the best scoring Englishmen in the Premier League who is at the peak of his game on a long-term contract. As homegrown strikers go, there aren’t many better. Harry Kane is the one, but after him I’m not sure you look much beyond Patrick after what he did last season.
He scored 17 goals and was central to our season. He is also key in how Marcelo likes to play and his importance cannot be underestimated. You can go out and spend millions and gamble on foreign imports, but in Pat, we have someone who is tried and trusted and, having worked hard to get here, he understands and appreciates what it takes.
Congrats and well done mate. Leeds will be rooting for you.