What Chris Wilder said about Patrick Bamford amid striker’s shock link to Sheffield United

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Many Sheffield United fans would have laughed if you told them four months ago that Patrick Bamford was being linked with Sheffield United.

However, plenty has changed since Leeds United were promoted to the Premier League and the Blades lost the play-off final to Sunderland. Bamford is currently without a club after being judged as surplus to requirements at Elland Road, while Sheffield United sit rock bottom of the Championship.

Chris Wilder has been sacked and reappointed in that time, too, succeeding his successor Ruben Selles last week after the Spaniard oversaw six defeats in all six games and scoring one league goal. Wilder lost his first game in charge, falling to a last minute 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic.

Now, with Sheffield United evidently lacking firepower, Bamford is being linked with the club, via a report from The Star, as well as Spanish club Getafe. But would Wilder really have the striker at Bramall Lane after their previous Yorkshire rivalry?

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What happened between Chris Wilder and Patrick Bamford during Leeds United rivalry?

In the 2018/19 season that saw Sheffield United beat Leeds to promotion to the Premier League, Wilder name dropped Bamford when he was celebrating leading his boyhood club to the top flight.

The former Leeds striker did the same back to Wilder when they won the Championship last term with 100 points as the Blades were made to settle for the play-offs.

Bamford then sang about Wilder outside Elland Road with Leeds fans during their celebrations – however, Wilder quickly poured cold water on the rivalry.

He said at the time: “I am a big boy. You give it, you take it. You give it out locally, you take it locally as I have always done. We have our moments, other teams have their moments. I had a conversation with Pat yesterday and I have no issue at all with it.

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“I am not sure about the words used from a fellow pro, but I appreciate and respected him giving me a call and we had 20 minutes. I spoke to [Leeds manager] Daniel [Farke] as well yesterday and had a half-hour chat. He’s a super guy. They are a top team and a top football club.”

Sheffield United need to reach into the free agent market after disaster Championship start

Sheffield United have scored just one goal this season in the league, via Tyrese Campbell in the opening 4-1 defeat to Bristol City.

Tom Cannon arguably isn’t strong enough competition to push him out his spot, while Danny Ings remains injured.

Ings signed for the Blades on a free transfer this summer, as did Ben Mee. Wilder will know that his squad needs a boost up top after failing to make anything of their 13 shots on Saturday against Charlton.

With Wilder now dealing with the absence of Kieffer Moore after his move to Wrexham, he will greatly benefit from a striker with Championship experience. That may not be Bamford now, with him looking likely to join Getafe.