Patrick Bamford has proven Daniel Farke right following Sheffield United transfer
To say Sheffield United took a gamble on Patrick Bamford back in November is an understatement.
The former striker had been without a club since being released by Leeds United in August, he had not scored a goal since April 2024 and his injury record was certainly not without its concerns.
However, if there is one man who has mastered the art of astute recruitment in recent years at Bramall Lane that man is Chris Wilder.
Mark Duffy, John Fleck, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick, to name just a few, have all been signed on free transfers at one point or another during Wilder’s stints as manager at Bramall Lane and each of them created lasting legacies.
Although Bamford is only 21 games into his United career, it can already be argued that he is on track to do exactly the same. The 32-year-old scored his tenth goal in United colours on Saturday, earning the ten-man Blades a point against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.
Scoring nine goals in 20 Championship appearances for the club, Bamford has made a telling impact, fully justifying Wilder’s decision to take a gamble on him three months into the season. Initially signing a short-term deal until January, the former Chelsea youngster is now under contract at Bramall Lane until the end of next season.
Joining a strike force that already featured Danny Ings, Tom Cannon and Campbell, Bamford, in Wilder’s eyes, was the missing piece of the jigsaw, offering United the presence of an out-and-out No.9
“He gives us that experience, gives us that No.9,” Wilder said. “I think all Sheffield United supporters will realise that we've missed that number nine. We're a number nine club as well.
“There are different ways to win different games of football. I'm not stuck on this idea of just playing one way. Over, through and round.
“But with the No.9, I think it's quite interesting now.”
Bamford soon established himself as United’s striker-in-chief, scoring five goals in his first eight Championship appearances for the club. Just like any striker, the former Derby County loanee is judged on his record in front of goal, but his all-round game is about much more than just putting the ball in the back of the net.
He compliments United’s playmakers such as Callum O’Hare and Gustavo Hamer, showing the providing the hold-up play to bring them into play. He also has a clear understanding of where to be at the right time.
His natural qualities as a No.9 have had a huge impact on United keeping their play-off hopes, albeit now very faint with eight games remaining, alive as the March international break approaches.
He has also benefited from feeding off the trust of a manager who values him. As the end of his initial short-term deal approached in January, it was crystal clear just how desperate Wilder was for him to stick around.
All in all, Wilder has delivered just the sort of man management skills Bamford needs to produce the best version of himself.
"I had a really open and honest conversation with Patrick, which was important,” said Leeds United boss Daniel Farke, speaking last July about how Bamford was no longer part of his plans.
“He knows how much I rate him as a player and I would have preferred a fit Patrick Bamford for the last two seasons. But he is a player who needs to be the main man. He needs an arm round the shoulder after some difficult seasons.
“I was not willing to tell him he was the main man at Premier League level. In the second day of pre-season, I got him into my office and told him he is not in my plans for the upcoming season.”
At Bramall Lane, Bamford is the main man. He has quickly cemented his position at the top of the pecking order, consistently delivering the goods in front of goal.
Ten goals in his first 21 appearances for the club is a far better return than anyone could have possibly imagined when he walked through the door, meaning he has won over all of his doubters.
His start to his United career has offered a reminder that few are better than Wilder it comes to succeeding in the free agent market.