To go or not to go: Patrick Bamford keeps Middlesborough waiting

Reports of young striker Patrick Bamford undergoing a medical ahead of a loan to Middlesborough surfaced a few days ago, but so far Patrick has remained at Chelsea U21.  So what's the hold-up?  Apparently, it's Bamford himself.

All the paperwork is already in place for a year long loan move for the Chelsea second string striker.  Boro have agreed the terms of the move with Chelsea and Blues boss Jose Mourinho has urged Bamford to follow Kenneth Omeruo to a club where the training regime and playing style are similar to Stamford Bridge.

But Bamford has asked for time to consider the move. It is believed he has other options with at least two Championship clubs lurking and poised to make a move if he turns Boro down.

-source: Gazette

Still no rush over deciding soon to be 21-year-old Bamford's immediate future, which has been a minor theme all summer long.  And with hopeful reports of Fernando Torres's Chelsea future potentially in doubt as well (fool us how many times now?), perhaps we're not too anxious about Bamford making up his mind anytime soon either -- though Bamford having a role at Chelsea this season may be a bit of an unrealistic reach.

That being said, choose wisely, young one.  Diego Costa already looks like a big hit, but the depth chart is either empty or super old behind him, especially after this season.  Another successful loan, even if just in the Championship, would not hurt Patrick's prospects of taking advantage of that opportunity next summer.