Kalvin Phillips responds to ‘unreal’ Patrick Bamford footage – ‘my hero’
Leeds United’s Championship title celebrations have continued across the city with Patrick Bamford at the forefront.
Daniel Farke‘s side secured promotion back on 21 April with their 6-0 victory over Stoke City and sealed the title itself against Plymouth Argyle 12 days later, and have been in full-on celebratory mode since.
Leeds‘ entire squad and a further 150,000 fans were present in the city centre for an open-top bus tour on 5 May, which saw captain Ethan Ampadu grab the headlines as he led his team-mates’ celebrations.
As the Peacocks prepare for a crucial transfer window which will see 49ers Enterprises back Farke to the hilt in their bid to stay up next season, Leeds’ current squad members are still riding the promotion wave.
Bamford takes centre stage in Leeds-themed music event
Farke’s squad is set for wholesale changes this summer after Football Insider revealed that Leeds only see six members of the team as Premier League-level starters, with the frontline set to be overhauled.
Bamford and Joel Piroe aren’t seen as good enough to lead the line in the top-flight and the latter hasn’t even scored a goal for Leeds this term, but Bamford has still been front and centre of their celebrations.
On Saturday (31 May), Leeds-based band Kaiser Chiefs hosted a gig on the outskirts of the city, and brought both Bamford and the Championship trophy onto the stage for a rendition of “I Predict a Riot”.
Bamford posted a video of the song on Instagram as he played along on guitar in a 2002 Mark Viduka shirt, and received likes from several current and former members of Leeds’ squad for his performance.
Third-choice goalkeeper Alex Cairns called the footage “unreal”, while England midfielder Kalvin Phillips called Bamford; “my hero”, as rumours circulate that the Man City outcast could return to Elland Road.
Bamford, Phillips futures uncertain in Leeds’ transfer strategy
Leeds will waste no time in their efforts to improve Farke’s squad with the transfer window open, and Football Insider revealed that they’re close to an upgrade at left-back in the form of Kostas Tsimikas.
Bamford’s prospects, however, are less promising as he enters the final year of his contract, and former Leeds keeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that Bamford can’t be relied on in the Premier League.
Phillips’ exit from Man City is all-but certain, but Paraag Marathe’s comments so far this summer have suggested that Leeds may avoid a look to the past as they attempt to carve out a successful future.