Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford, who is at Crystal Palace on a season-long loan, says he is “upset and frustrated” at the lack of playing time he’s had since arriving at Selhurst Park.
The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Championship side Middlesborough, where he had a lot of success.
However, since joining Crystal Palace, he’s played a total of just 49 minutes of Premier League football, having come on as a substitute against Arsenal, Leicester and Tottenham.
His only two starts have come in the Capital One Cup, and after the 5-1 defeat to Manchester City in midweek, the opportunity to play in that competition is no longer there.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, the England Under 21 striker admitted that the lack of game time is getting to him:
It has been a frustrating time for me. If you ask my friends and the people close to me, I am not the same person when I am not playing football all the time. I have only had a short career, but I would say this has been one of the most upsetting times since I have been playing football. To not play and sit on the bench is not enjoyable.
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However, Bamford says that he has spoken with Alan Pardew and the manager explained to him what he wants to see in order to give the youngster more game time.
There was a bit of a discussion with the manager over what position I would play. Once we sorted that out, he wanted me to be more aggressive. He sat me down the other day and said he had seen more of that from me, so he said I deserved a start.
I knew it would be difficult against City and it was a frustrating game. I probably should have scored and I was a bit disappointed with myself. Once I get that first goal I think it will relax me a little bit. I am not putting pressure on myself and when I get one goal, I am sure the rest will follow.
Despite having success in the Championship, Bamford is keen to perform at the highest level and says he needs to ensure he takes any chances that come his way.
In the Premier League you might get one chance in the game and you have to put it away. That is a learning curve. Normally I am quite clinical and I have to bring that into my game.
