Patrick Bamford revealed he is heading back to Chelsea after a “terrible” loan spell at Crystal Palace.

The on-loan striker played the second 45 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Swansea on Monday, before confirming after the game that he had already made his decision to leave.

Bamford, 22, joined in the summer with much expectation after being named Championship Player of the Year at Middlesbrough last season, but will rejoin the Blues in the New Year.

“This is my last game for Palace,” he said.

“If I was being honest, it [his time at Palace] was terrible. No-one wants to sit on the bench and not play.

“Obviously things haven’t worked out for whatever reason.”

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The forward has made just six league appearances for Alan Pardew’s side and is unhappy with the lack of opportunities.

“I would have been more happy, or more content, if I had been given a chance and not taken it, but I haven’t started a game in the Prem,” he added.

“For a young player like me that’s not what you need.

“I had to take my development and make it the priority.”

Speaking after his final appearance, the loanee insisted it was him, rather than the manager, that made the call to end his spell.

“It was my decision,” said Bamford. “The coaches have just found out now, I just told them I was going.

“The manager and the coaching staff, they already knew, but the physios and stuff, I’ve just said bye to them.

“I had to do it, because I haven’t been playing and for my development it’s crucial now that I do play games.”

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Bamford pointed to the lack of goal-power up front this season and suggested other players’ struggles meant he should have been given more chances.

“I was frustrated because there weren’t many strikers scoring,” he said. “Connor [Wickham] only scored his first goal last week.

“I think as a striker, that might be shortsighted of me, but obviously scoring goals is a striker’s job.

“If you’re not playing and the other strikers aren’t scoring, and you’re not getting a chance, I was pulling my hair out.”

Although his time at Palace has been cut short, Bamford felt being at the club – where he made his first Premier League appearance – had been worthwhile.

“I wouldn’t say a waste of time, I think that’s harsh,” he said.

“I think I’ve learned things from the gaffer, from the players like Yohan [Cabaye] and all the other players in the team.

“It was obviously my first stint in the Premier League properly. I’ve trained with Chelsea but that was always with a view of going out on loan.”

Last season the youngster enjoyed a hugely successful time in the second tier of English football, scoring 16 goals in 40 games.

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“That’s why I was frustrated, I felt like I could carry it on,” Bamford added.

“After having watched the games I know I can fit in at this level.

“It’s difficult when you’re not playing and you come in for five minutes here or there, 20 minutes there, don’t play for a couple of weeks.

“If you’ve seen me play at all the other levels, I’ve never really been out of the team for longer than a game and that’s showed with goals.”

Bamford is now keeping his options open and ideally wants to remain in the Premier League, suggesting there are offers already.

The striker admitted he hadn’t sat down with Pardew to discuss his future, but was sure their relationship would end amicably.

“He hasn’t actually spoken to me yet,” he said. “I’ll go and say bye to him now.

“We’ll shake hands and say obviously it didn’t work out but there are no hard feelings.

“He’s a nice guy, he’s been honest with me. There’s nothing I can really say about him.”

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