Sean Dyche on why there are no 'what ifs' over Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford's time at Burnley

A 22-year-old Bamford joined Dyche's Burnley side on a season-long loan from parent club Chelsea back in August 2016 but was recalled the following January having made just six Premier League outings from the bench.

The striker was handed a combined total of just 33 minutes of football by Dyche and Bamford has often reflected on his frustrations and sadness during his loan spell at Turf Moor.

It proved the last of six loan spells away from Chelsea for Bamford who joined fellow Premier League side Middlesbrough on a permanent deal just four days after his Blues recall from Burnley.

After eighteen months at the Riverside who were relegated in May 2017, the striker then joined Leeds in the summer of 2018 for an initial £7m and helped fire the Whites to promotion as 2020 Championship champions.

Bamford's progress has continued back in the country's top flight as the Whites no 9 now sits sixth in the division's Golden Boot race having netted 15 goals, three more than Burnley's top scorer Chris Wood who was signed by the Clarets from Leeds.

Wood left the Whites for Burnley in a deal worth around £15m in August 2017 and Bamford has effectively proved his replacement.

Bamford and Wood will now go head to head in today's Premier League clash between Burnley and Leeds at Turf Moor as Bamford also faces his former boss Dyche.

But Dyche says there is no thinking what might have been and has praised the development of Bamford who he says is entitled to his own opinion of his Clarets loan spell.

"No, I think he has done a great job," said Dyche of Bamford, asked if there were any 'what ifs' about the striker's time at Burnley at his pre-match press conference.

"Since he has gone from us he has been out there working hard at his career like all players do and he's having a very good season.

"Woody has had a number of good seasons since we got him out of Leeds so they are two very good players and playing really well."

Asked about Bamford airing his grievances over his time at Burnley in interviews, Dyche said: "Every player has a right to say whatever they want to say.

"It's very rare that I speak about players and what goes in house.

"I know how we treat players and how we look after players.

"I have dealt with thousands of players, I have been doing this a long time but if players have a view that's fine.

"They are allowed to have a view, everyone is allowed to have a view on whatever way they think is the right of doing things or the right way of talking about things.

"I have got absolutely no problem with that."

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/pascal-struijk-exclusive-leeds-united-man-on-cardiff-city-cameo-his-secret-liverpool-debut-shackling-harry-kane-and-shyness-3236813

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/marcelo-bielsa-hails-sean-dyche-and-burnley-model-but-outlines-leeds-united-aim-for-premier-league-run-in-3237434

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins