It’s Like He’s Been Here For Years

McClaren pleased with Bamford's early impact at Derby.

Steve McClaren has been impressed with the way that Patrick Bamford has settled into life at Derby County.

The on-loan Chelsea striker has bagged four goals in five appearances since arriving from the Stamford Bridge outfit for the rest of the season back in January.

His four goals have come in his last four outings and Derby are yet to lose a game in which he has scored.

He had scored 17 goals for MK Dons in a half-season loan earlier in the campaign, which means he has already hit an impressive 21 goals since August.

McClaren says the 20-year-old’s impact has been impressive in the early stages of his Derby career - and he has labelled him as a ‘natural goalscorer’.

He said: “Patrick has come in and scored goals like has been here for years.

“He’s got that confidence and arrogance - not in a bad way - which you need if you’re going to score goals regularly as a striker.

“On the field he has certainly delivered; which is most important.

“I think he's shown in the five games so far the qualities he's got.

“He's a natural goalscorer and when you’ve got one of those on your hands you’ve got a chance of scoring goals.

“He has made a great impact for us and he’s scored a few different types of goals which is pleasing to see.”

McClaren insists the youngster isn’t the finishes article just yet - but admits his flying start to his Derby career has quickly highlighted the promising future he is set to have in the game.

Rather than waiting in the wings at Chelsea, Derby’s Head Coach is relishing the opportunity to play first-team football and enhance his credentials.

“Patrick knows that he isn’t the finishing article and there’s still plenty of development in him,” he said.

“That’s why we brought him here - we think he is a player with a great deal of potential and he’s shown that with the impact he’s made.

“He's got a long way to go and a lot to learn but he's a sensible and very intelligent boy and he's making the right steps.

"I certainly say, even without my Derby County hat on, that it is the way forward for top clubs to give their players the opportunity to play.

“We believe we are one of those clubs that can provide a good development education and Patrick is showing in his performances that he is relishing the chance to play first-team football.

"It's vital because the realities of getting a result every week, and the pressure of that and playing in the league when it does matter, is a lot different than the development league."

Watch more from Steve McClaren in an exclusive interview on Rams Player.