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As rumours swirl around Fernando Torres leaving Chelsea, there are questions over who might be replacing him. One of the in-house candidates mentioned most often this summer was Patrick Bamford, but the youngster is now out of the picture after agreeing a loan deal with Championship outfit Middlesbrough:
BREAKING: The club has completed the signing of Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford on a season-long loan deal. #UTB pic.twitter.com/izr7Id4crJ
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) August 29, 2014
Those who follow the progress of our loanees will recall that Bamford isn't the only Chelsea youngster at Boro -- he joins Kenneth Omeruo under Aitor Karanka, Jose Mourinho's former assistant at Real Madrid. That relationship, no doubt, was key in getting Bamford to the club. He lit up the Championship last year with Derby, had plenty of other suitors, and it's difficult to see why he'd choose Boro over the rest unless Chelsea were pushing hard to get him there.
There's also some confusion as to the details of the loan: the Blues have confirmed the loan, but they disagree with Middlesbrough as to how long it lasts -- Chelsea are saying it's not a season-long deal but instead lasts until January 1st, 2015. Obviously that's a fairly minor note, but it's one that could do with being clarified.
Either way, Bamford's set for some time in the northeast. Good luck up there, Patrick!