Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Chelsea FC youngster Patrick Bamford has completed a loan move to Championship side Middlesbrough FC for the season.
The 20-year-old has striker impressed last season during loan spells at MK Dons and Derby County. Bamford scored 21 goals in 44 appearances for Dons and scored another 8 goals in 21 appearances for Derby giving him a total of 29 goals in 65 appearances last season.
Derby boss Steve McClaren had nothing but praise for the young England international. “I worked with Patrick last season and he is a really good lad and a good player,” McClaren said.
“He had a good time at Derby with us and scored goals, and I think he will prove to be a great signing for Boro.”
Bamford joins another Chelsea FC prospect on the Riverside in right-back Kenneth Omeruo, who is going to be starting his second loan spell at the club.
Many were hoping that Bamford would creep into the Chelsea first team this season but spending a full year on loan in the Championship probably was his best option for the season. Should Bamford continue his good goal scoring record, a Premier League loan could be on the cards then.
Bamford is one of the many exciting prospects that Chelsea have acquired and seems to be a natural goal scorer. With Fernando Torres seemingly on his way out to AC Milan in this transfer window and Didier Drogba making his return, next season would provide Bamford an excellent opportunity to join the first team.
With the loan move and the imminent Torres transfer, Chelsea will only two strikers in the squad. With Diego Costa’s fitness up in the air and a much older Didier Drogba on the books, Chelsea will surely have to go out and sign another striker for the season.
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