Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Louise Thomas](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
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."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments