Alan Pardew has revealed that on-loan forward Patrick Bamford could return to Chelsea this January if his playing time at Crystal Palace does not improve.
The 22-year-old joined Palace on loan in the summer after successful loan spells at Middlesborough, Derby and MK Dons, but has seen limited action so far this season at Selhurst Park.
He’s not playing at the moment. That’s unfortunate for Patrick because he’s working hard, but it is an obvious situation.
Bamford currently faces stiff competition from other forwards in the Palace squad, including fellow English and 22-year-old Connor Wickham, who also joined Pardew’s side in the summer.
If Patrick doesn’t play any real time between now and January, we’ll have to look at it for sure. Patrick’s had a lot of competition, he’s trying to understand the way we play. I’m sure he wants to take his chance.
Is it up to Patrick to prove himself? That’s difficult to say, but he’s fighting for his right to get into the team.
The striker, who Chelsea signed for £1.5m back in January 2012, could return to a struggling Chelsea side in January, with Palace likely to look at Manchester United’s James Wilson as a replacement.