Whelan issues ‘risk’ warning after Leeds star Bamford rejected again
Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford couldn’t have done any more to work his way into England’s Euros squad.
That’s according to former Whites hitman Noel Whelan, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Bamford’s recent blow.
The striker was omitted from Gareth Southgate’s preliminary 33-man squad despite finishing the season as the second-top scoring Englishman in the Premier League.
Harry Kane was the only Englishman to score more goals than Bamford as Dominic Calvert-Lewin finished one strike behind him.
However, Bamford also picked up eight assists while the Everton striker registered none.
Bamford is yet to play for England after being consistently snubbed despite his impressive form last season.
Whelan insists Southgate has taken a risk in not selecting Bamford and backed him to come back from yet another rejection.
“The only consolation Bamford has is that he did everything possible to give himself the best chance of getting in the squad,” Whelan told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge.
“If you look at the strikers who are in there, only Harry Kane scored more goals last season.
“He’s the second-top scoring Englishman, you have to be disappointed to not have been chosen.
“Calvert-Lewin is probably the main centre forward after Kane but you just never know do you?
“Patrick can only play that central role, which means if you lose one of Kane or Calvert-Lewin, you only have one left at the tournament.
“It’s a tough call because there are a lot of top strikers out there. In my opinion not taking him is a big risk.
“He’s on fire and every time he’s been rejected he’s come back with a goal or a good performance. You can’t do any more than that.”
In other news, former Leeds United man backs youth sensation to sign for EFL club.