Chris Wilder hits back at 'lazy' Leeds United question as Patrick Bamford transfer twist revealed
Former Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford joined Sheffield United on a short-term deal last week.
Former Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford was close to joining Coventry City before eventually arriving at Sheffield United, Chris Wilder has revealed.
Bamford joined Sheffield United on a short-term contract last week having been without a club since mutually agreeing to cut his Leeds deal a year short in August. The 32-year-old was linked with a move to La Liga outfit Getafe and spent time last month training with Coventry, who are managed by former Chelsea teammate Frank Lampard.
Lampard insisted the decision was a ‘favour’ to help Bamford maintain fitness ahead of finding a new club, but it seems that new club was almost Coventry. That’s according to Blades boss Wilder, who spoke to his rival Championship manager before sanctioning the 32-year-old’s move to South Yorkshire.
“Pat’s been good,” Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield (via The Star). “He was at Coventry for over five weeks and I spoke to Frank about him as well. It was touch and go whether they took him. He's in good shape. We've done a medical. He played 45 minutes for the U21s earlier this week and he’s ready to go.”
Bamford could be set for a high-profile debut when Sheffield United face Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Sunday. There’s also a chance he comes directly up against long-time Leeds teammate and good pal Liam Cooper, who earlier this week signed for the Owls on a short-term contract.
Chris Wilder hits back at Patrick Bamford fitness questions
There have been inevitable questions regarding Bamford’s fitness, given he didn’t play any of Leeds’ pre-season matches and instead trained with the Under-21s before leaving in August. The experienced striker’s final few years at Elland Road were also affected by injuries but Wilder has hit back at suggestions his new arrival isn’t fit enough.
“He’s a lad that was available last season as well,” the Sheffield United boss said. “There’s a lot of lazy journalism. I answered a question today regarding Pat and being out injured. Every player has an injury, every player has a couple of injuries. Pat's appearance record is good. He was available for 37 games last season.
“It was only because Leeds United had top players at the top of the pitch [that he didn’t feature as much]. Joel Piroe was on fire, leading goalscorer for them, and they were winning games, getting to 100 points. But Pat feels he's still got a point to prove. I've talked to him, we've seen him train, talked to Frank, spoke to their medical staff, and it was pretty touch and go whether they took him.
“I think there was an argument that they might be having a bit of a go at it in January - and quite rightly so - and Pat thought that maybe he wouldn't get the minutes that he wanted. He's got to get into our side, but he will do. And he'll be a valuable contribution from an area of the pitch that we need and are missing.”