Patrick Bamford, who won Championship Player of the Year, netted 19 goals and two assists in 37 appearances for Middlesbrough in all competitions, who are nearing promotion back to the Barclays Premier League for the first time since being relegated in the 2008-2009 season.

Like many Chelsea players in recent years, Patrick Bamford has been utilized by being put on loan spells for countless seasons. The world class quality of Chelsea has seen Bamford at MK Dons, Derby County, and now Middlesbrough before he has even reached the age of 22.

A significant leap of form from eight goals and three assists at Derby County in just 14 appearances with nine being from the bench, may have already displayed potential that has been uplifted by a well deserved season of progression for the England youngster. His transfer from Nottingham Forest and goal tally at MK Dons may easily be representative of Chelsea's initial reasoning for acquiring him by transfer.

Bamford believes the philosophy of play by Aitor Karanka and Jose Mourinho are quite similar, and that his perfect fit at Middlesbrough still leaves him urging this move at a possibility of at least sitting on the bench with Chelsea's first team next season.

Chelsea, who have been struggling recently in their almost certain title winning campaign with injuries to Diego Costa and Loic Remy in the striker position has left 37-year-old club legend Didier Drogba to carry the load. However, with Drogba almost certain to be hanging up the boots soon and Jose Mourinho likely listing a forward on his transfer request list, Patrick Bamford may be a likely replacement as the third striker.

Patrick Bamford commented on his confidence of returning to Chelsea to the Daily Mail:

‘There’s no reason why I wouldn’t want to be at Chelsea,’ he said. ‘That's my dream, to pull on that blue shirt, so hopefully it'll come true.

‘In the Premier League, strikers are about 23 or 24 if they're playing week-in, week-out and at a club like Chelsea, you've got the money to go out and buy a world class striker like Diego Costa.

‘And there's also that pressure they need to win trophies, win the league. It's just one of those things, you have to stick with it, be patient and hopefully the rewards will come.’

Is Patrick Bamford an ideal candidate for such a top European contender and Barclays Premier League side like Chelsea? Will another loan spell or permanent transfer be Bamford's fate like Thorgan Hazard and many other former Blues?