Patrick Bamford admits England omission gave him an 'extra fire in his belly'
By Max Parsons
Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford has admitted that his omission from Gareth Southgate's latest England squad gave him an 'extra fire in his belly' for Friday night's Premier League clash with Fulham.
The 27-year old starred in the Whites' victory at Craven Cottage, scoring the first and assisting the second in a 2-1 win that took them up to 11th in the table - two points behind Aston Villa and Arsenal.
Bamford's display was characteristic of how he's performed for much of the season, but Leeds' main man will remain uncapped at senior international level for now after Southgate opted to overlook him for the Three Lions' upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Speaking after the game against Fulham, Bamford admitted that being left out had provided him with extra motivation but he's just happy to be in the conversation and playing well.
"I just need to keep working and see if I can get my name in contention for the Euros," Bamford told Sky Sports (quotes via talkSPORT.)
"If I keep going as I am I think I’m in with a shot. If you told me at the start of the season I’d be linked with England, I’d say you were bonkers. If it comes, it comes. If not, I’ll know I’ve done my best. It was in the back of my mind a little bit I guess. It gives you a bit of an extra fire in your belly."
Bamford's 29th minute goal on Friday night takes his tally in the Premier League up to 14, of which only two have been penalties - leaving him as the second highest scoring Englishman in the division behind Harry Kane.
17 - Harry Kane (26) is the only Englishman with more non-penalty goals and assists in Europe's top five leagues this season than Patrick Bamford (17 - 12 goals and 5 assists). Overlooked. pic.twitter.com/FDEgON7y5i
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 18, 2021
Despite that record, Southgate opted to call up Kane and Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while there was also a maiden call-up for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins.
He has also impressed in his first campaign in the top flight, contributing ten goals and three assists in an exciting Villans side. The 25-year-old is likely to make his debut in one of England's three fixtures against San Marino, Albania and Poland, all geared towards qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.