Alan Shearer has praised Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford while picking his team of the week for the Premier League website.
The former Chelsea man bagged all three goals in the Whites 3-0 victory over high-flying Aston Villa at the weekend.
Bamford was expected to struggle in the top flight after failing to find the net for long periods of Leeds’ promotion season from the Championship.
But after scoring six goals in his opening six matches, Shearer believes he’s already proving his doubters wrong.
Bamford’s doubters
At 27 years of age, this isn’t Bamford’s first try in the Premier League.
He has already played for Crystal Palace, Burnley, Norwich and Middlesbrough in the top flight. However, he managed to find the net just once across his time with all four clubs.
He also struggled at times in front of goal last season, going ten games without scoring and registering 11 less than his xG last season.
Despite his meagre tally, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa stood by Bamford due to his high work rate.
Many expected Leeds to sign another striker on their return to the Premier League after a 16-year hiatus. But Bielsa kept faith in his centre-forward.
At home already
It seems as though his faith has been rewarded as Bamford has made a fantastic start to the season.
He already has six goals and appears to have won an admirer in the greatest goalscorer the Premier League has seen.
Shearer said: “Each goal was better than the last in his brilliant hat-trick. He already looks very comfortable at this level.”
That’s high praise indeed from the Premier League’s record goalscorer. Bamford will hope to keep up his good start to the season when Leeds take on Leicester City on Monday.
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