(Credit: Imago/Getty Images)

Jonathan Burnett

Mon 4 August 2025 12:15, UK

Patrick Bamford’s next club must be led by a manager who can put an arm around him and help to re-ignite his ailing career.

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Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former Leeds and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson gave his verdict on Bamford‘s next steps if he leaves Elland Road this summer.

Daniel Farke has informed Bamford that he isn’t in Leeds’ plans ahead of next season and their return to the Premier League, which has opened the door for several Championship clubs to declare their interest.

Wrexham were given the green light to pursue Bamford after Farke’s bombshell verdict last month, and Robinson told Football Insider that the 31-year-old will have his pick of clubs as his exit at Leeds looms.

Bamford is far from a “journeyman” after seven seasons at Leeds, but in order for Wrexham to become the eleventh club of his career, Robinson said that Phil Parkinson would have to instill confidence in him.

Middlesbrough have also been linked with bringing their former striker back to the Riverside this summer, and Robinson told Football Insider that this could be the best option if Rob Edwards can do the same.

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Bamford’s recent seasons at Elland Road have been marred by injury (Credit: Imago)

This article contains exclusive comment from Paul Robinson, a football pundit and former England, Tottenham and Leeds goalkeeper.

Football Insider revealed that a move abroad could be on the cards for Bamford this summer, with most Championship clubs unlikely to afford the weekly wages of a player who is back on a top-flight contract.

Speaking on the new Inside Track, Robinson argued that regardless of where Bamford ends up next season, he must align his next move with a manager who has complete belief in the striker’s abilities.

“I think for Patrick Bamford, ‘journeyman’ is the wrong word”, Robinson told Football Insider.

“He was at Middlesbrough; he’s linked to Middlesbrough again – 10 clubs in all, but only four permanent [spells].

“For him now at 31 years old, almost 32, it’s a case of what does he want?

Has he got the drive to re-ignite a career that has stumbled?

“From my experience of playing with him at Burnley, I know Patrick, he’s a player that likes the manager’s confidence in him – you could see that with Bielsa.

“When a manager’s got confidence in him, puts their arm around him and likes him, he’s a player that will excel in that environment.

“I think it’s very, very important for him personally that he finds somewhere he’s going to enjoy his football again, as his time at Leeds has come to an end.

“Whether it’s going to be Wrexham, whether it’s going be Middlesbrough; wherever it may be, it’s important for him that he’s loved, he’s liked, and can get back to enjoying his football.”

Bamford would be a high-profile addition for Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny

Farke’s update regarding Bamford’s future was quickly followed by the shock news that Mateo Joseph wants to leave Elland Road, leaving Leeds short of two senior strikers with the season fast approaching.

Teenager Harry Gray currently sits third in the pecking order behind Joel Piroe and Lukas Nmecha, and signing a new striker such as Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz must be Leeds’ top priority ahead of their opener.

Leeds have already seen their pursuit of Igor Paixao hit a dead end which only heightens their need for more attacking reinforcments, and whether it’s Muniz or another striker, Farke is running out of time to find his new number nine.

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