'I do fear him leaving' - Claim made on Patrick Bamford situation at Sheffield United | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit has given his verdict on whether striker Patrick Bamford will leave the club in January.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Sheffield United completed the surprise signing of striker Patrick Bamford on a short-term contract in November following his departure from Leeds United.

Bamford scored 60 goals in 205 games during a successful seven-year spell at Leeds, as well as winning promotion to the Premier League on two occasions, but after manager Daniel Farke publicly revealed in the summer that he would not be part of his plans for the top flight, his contract was terminated by mutual consent in August.

The 32-year-old was linked with Championship trio Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Wrexham and La Liga side Getafe after his Elland Road exit, but after a deal failed to materialise with any of those clubs, he began training with Coventry City, who are managed by his former Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard.

Lampard initially insisted that Bamford had only linked up with the club to maintain his fitness, but it seems he was keen to keep the striker at the CBS Arena, but a potential deal fell through after Sky Blues owner Doug King had a change of heart over offering him a contract.

After almost three months without a club, Bamford was handed an opportunity by Sheffield United as he put pen to paper on a short-term contract in November, and the deal certainly came as a surprise given his previous history with manager Chris Wilder, but he has made a big impact at Bramall Lane.

Bamford scored his third goal in just seven appearances for the Blades in their 3-0 home victory over Birmingham City on Saturday, and with Wilder's men winning five of those matches, the former England international has helped his side move up to 18th in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Sheffield United verdict issued on Patrick Bamford's future ahead of January

When asked if he is fearful that Bamford's head could be turned by an offer from elsewhere, FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy, from the YouTube channel Blades Ramble, admitted that he is worried the striker could depart in January when his contract expires, but he insisted that he is hopeful he will remain at Bramall Lane.

"Since coming in, Patrick Bamford has levelled us up significantly, he's been a fantastic signing for Sheffield United," Jimmy told FLW.

"He's lifted the levels of the players around him, which I think has been really important in terms of our resurgence, although it has obviously tailed off a little bit recently.

"He's been a key component in us improving our league form and position.

"I don't think he'll leave, but I do fear him leaving, if that makes sense.

"I do think we'll do enough to tie him up until the end of the season, but there's always that concern that, until he's holding the shirt, he might end up elsewhere.

"If he does, we'll have to pivot, and I think there are some contingency players on the list.

"There's a certain ex-Sheffield United striker I think we may well be in for if Patrick Bamford leaves, but myself and other Sheffield United fans are very hopeful that he'll continue until at least the end of the season."

New Patrick Bamford contract must be Sheffield United's top January priority

Given that Bamford had not scored a goal for over 18 months at the time of his arrival, his signing certainly looked like a gamble for Sheffield United, but the decision to bring him in has proven to be masterstroke by Wilder.

Not only has Bamford chipped in with a number of crucial goals to guide the Blades away from danger, but he has also helped to improve his fellow strikers Tyrese Campbell, Tom Cannon and Danny Ings, with the trio all finding form in recent weeks after poor starts to the season.

As Wilder himself admitted, there is a danger that Bamford's agent could find him a more lucrative contract elsewhere in January, but having already become a firm fan favourite at Bramall Lane, it would be a surprise to see him depart.