'It is nonsense' - Former Chelsea coach launches passionate defence of Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford amid England calls

The 27-year-old has certainly proved the doubters wrong this season – taking the Premier League by storm with his impressive goal record.

Bamford netted his 13th of the campaign during the 3-0 win against Southampton on Tuesday, a total bettered only by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes.

In terms of top English scorers in the top-flight so far, Bamford has scored the same amount as Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

His fine performances have led to calls of a possible place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, which has brought split views.

People doubt whether Bamford can carry his club form into England duty – but Newton has branded that as “nonsense”.

Newton worked with Bamford during their time at Stamford Bridge together, where he had loan spells at MK Dons, Derby County, Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Burnley.

"It is nonsense,” Newton passionately told Sky Sports’ Football Show.

"As a player, Steve (McClaren) describes him as a fox in the box but I’ve seen him score goals from all manner, in and around the box.

"He scores with his head, scores with his left foot, scores with his right foot and can manipulate the ball to create space to get a shot off.

"When I was working with Bamford when he was with Steve at Derby and he was playing on the right-hand side, he was scoring goals, coming in from the right and hitting shots with his left as well as (providing) assists.

"So, to say he can’t do it (play for England)... he was learning his craft under different managers. Different managers have different styles – they have to get the most out of him.

"We all knew he was talented putting the ball in the back of the net but he had to learn the rest of the game.

"Steve mentioned the physicality, the work rate to get back and fight for the ball, especially when you’re playing the Championship – it’s critical your striker is able to do those kind of things to hold up the ball.

"He wasn’t very good at that when he younger, he had to improve and he had to work at it and he’s done so."

Newton says Bamford has got better with experience and believes Marcelo Bielsa is getting the best out of him.

But with the amount of talent in the England ranks, the former Trabzonspor manager sees no reasons as to why Bamford can’t succeed in the national team.

He continued: "To say something so silly that he can’t transfer that to England and can only play in a Bielsa side is nonsense because he is going to have a mental array of talent around him if he plays for England that will find his intelligent runs.

"He’s very good at making runs in behind the defence – it’s one of his biggest attributes. He’s a very intelligent runner and a very good finisher in front of goal.

"Why can’t he transfer that? I don’t understand why people are saying that, to be honest with you.”