Patrick Bamford at Crystal Palace: Long road to Chelsea’s first team
Wednesday 26 August 2015 16:42, UK
Crystal Palace finally saw off Shrewsbury 4-1 after extra-time of their Capital One Cup second-round clash but Patrick Bamford was not among the scorers on his first start since his loan move from Stamford Bridge. Can he make it at Chelsea? Adam Bate reports from Selhurst Park…
It's been a quiet introduction to Premier League life for Patrick Bamford. An unused substitute in Crystal Palace's victories over Norwich and Aston Villa, the Chelsea forward's only league action of his loan spell so far came in a 10-minute run-out against Arsenal. So Tuesday night's Capital One Cup clash with Shrewsbury was a significant opportunity for the 21-year-old to state his case.
Partnering Dwight Gayle in attack for the Eagles, it was Bamford who, despite his 6' 3" frame, took the deeper role of the two men. The search for space against a combative League One side was challenging for the striker and it proved a difficult 74 minutes. While admitting that Gayle was not the ideal foil for Bamford, Palace boss Alan Pardew acknowledged as much in his post-match press conference.
I felt a little bit sorry for him tonight because he wasn't at his best.
"I don't think he had his best night, Patrick, but he's a good player. He's finding that the level is a little bit higher here than it was at Middlesbrough and when you're not playing week in week out as he was at Middlesbrough it's hard. I felt a little bit sorry for him tonight because he wasn't at his best, but he's a good player."
In truth, the evening was not without its difficulties for Pardew's Palace as well as Bamford. But that deeper position proved particularly problematic for the new man in the early stages when he dangled a leg out that Ryan Woods glided past with ease, sparking the sweeping move from which Matt Tootle drilled home the opening goal of the game for the visitors.
At the other end of the pitch, Bamford's aerial abilities were tested to the full against the considerable frame of Jermaine Grandison. On a number of occasions, he found himself outmuscled by the centre-back. But there were moments of encouragement too, not least Bamford's role in Palace finding a first-half equaliser.
There had already been one neat lay-off that almost resulted in Lee Chung-yong getting through on goal and when Wilfried Zaha looked for a one-two soon after, Bamford's measured return pass found its target. Zaha took the ball in his stride but was subsequently bundled over and Gayle duly tucked away the resultant penalty.
This was what Bamford can offer, with those oft-whispered shades of Teddy Sheringham in his ability to see the picture of what's around him before others. But having scored 43 goals in 79 league starts to date, it's in front of goal that he will surely be judged. And this was not a night that showcased that finishing pedigree.
An early effort was skewed well wide while leaning back but the best chance was spurned when a long ball fell kindly only for him to spoon his shot over the crossbar with an unconvincing swing of that weaker right foot. An optimistic overhead kick minutes before receiving a warm ovation upon his withdrawal was as close as Bamford came to a goal.
There is a suspicion that Bamford is bright enough to know it will need rather more than that if he is to trouble the team-sheet at Stamford Bridge. "I have to believe, because if I didn't there would be no point in doing all of this," he told The Guardian earlier this month. In that same interview, Bamford suggested that Pardew has told him he is the manager to prepare him for Jose Mourinho's team.
First, of course, he must get into Pardew's. And the identity of – and loud cheers for - his replacement on Tuesday night, offered a reminder that even this is going to be no easy task. Palace's talismanic striker Glenn Murray has started both of their Premier League wins so far and helped turn this game around too – scoring what turned out to be the decisive goal from the spot in extra-time.
"In my head I think I know I can play at this level," said Bamford of the Premier League season ahead of him with Crystal Palace. "It's just a case of waiting for my chance and then getting myself into it as fast as I can. The manager said to me I'll get my crack at No 9, and when I get it, it's up to me to keep it."
With Palace facing Bamford's parent club Chelsea at the weekend, the immediate opportunity for him to do just that will be denied him. The next targets are a home game with Manchester City and a short trip to Tottenham. Bamford can see Stamford Bridge from his west London apartment. But getting to play there in a Chelsea shirt continues to look a daunting ambition for this talented player.
