Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.One of Chelsea's 34 players out on loan, Patrick Bamford, has revealed that he and his many fellow Blues loanees have their own WhatsApp group.
The huge list of players spending a temporary spell away from Stamford Bridge is more than double that at any other Premier League club. Bamford says the WhatsApp group is so popular it drains his phone battery.
"We've actually got a Chelsea loan WhatsApp group," Bamford, who is currently at Crystal Palace, said.
"The loan department set it up. Sometimes it drains your battery when everyone is messaging each other.
"If someone does something special at the weekend, one of the computer technology guys from the loan department will send it all out after the weekend."
Bamford was crowned last season's Championship Player of the Year as he helped lead Middlesbrough to the brink of the Premier League, losing to Norwich in May's play-off final, but he has yet to start a league game under Alan Pardew. Bamford has revealed that he is still receiving support from Chelsea.
“We have a psychologist at Chelsea who goes around seeing the loan players,” Bamford added.
“And he said every top, top player has a dark side to them. So, someone like Diego Costa, sometimes he oversteps the mark. You can see he plays on the edge.
"He said I had to develop that. It’s not natural for me to be like that – some players might lash out but for me it’s probably more talking to opponents. There are different ways [to do it]. You can get angry but it’s about controlling that aggression."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments