Patrick Bamford has confirmed that he has exercised a six-month break clause in his season-long loan deal with Crystal Palace and will return to parent club Chelsea in the New Year.
The 22-year-striker joined Alan Pardew's side in July but only featured six times in the league as a substitute, including in the final throes of today's stalemate with Swansea City.
"This was my last game for Palace and, if I were being honest, it has been terrible," Bamford told reporters after the game. "No-one wants to sit on the bench and not play. I would have been more content if I had been given a chance and not taken it, but I haven't started a game in the Premier League and, for a young player like me, that's not what you need.
"It was my decision. The coaches have just found out – I have told them I am going. I think the manager already knew but, the physios and [some of the] coaching staff, I have just let them know and said bye now. The gaffer's not actually spoken to me and I'll go in and say goodbye but I think it will be fine. We'll shake hands and say it didn't work out. No hard feelings.
"I had to do it because, for my development, it is crucial I play games. Obviously there are a lot of things I could say that frustrated me. But I got on well with the gaffer and I like him, and it was just one of those that didn't work out."
Bamford went on to reveal that he had been given reasons for his lack of game time but "saw through them".
He added: "As a striker, it might be short-sighted of me but obviously scoring goals is a striker's job. If you are not playing and the other strikers are not scoring and you are not getting a chance, obviously I was, like, pulling my hair out. That was a bit frustrating for me.
"Apart from that, the team has been doing really well so I couldn't really complain about getting involved sometimes. I've learned things so I wouldn't say it has been a waste of time, but we'll see what happens next. I know I can fit in at this level."
Bamford spent last season on loan with Championship side Middlesbrough, finding the net 17 times to become the club's top scorer. He was also voted Player of the Year at the Football League Awards by club managers from the second tier.
Neil Wilkes
