If reports are to believed, Burnley are now eyeing up a move for Manchester City’s forgotten star Fabian Delph, as Sean Dyche aims to step up next season following a decent performance last term. The 27-year-old midfielder was once touted as the next big thing in the Premier League, but couldn’t retain his momentum since making his big move to Manchester City.
Dyche has done a fabulous job of surviving the cut-throat competition of the Premier League after gaining promotion in 2016. With an under average squad, which mostly consists of unknown players of Championship experience, the English manager finished the season at the 16th position with 40 points.
Their phenomenal home form, where they have stopped the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, has been the talk of the season. However, with Dean Marney unsure about starting next term following his horrific injury and Joey Barton’s sudden ban from football, the club is left with a large void that needs to be filled this summer.
Apart from Robbie Brady, Burnley hardly have quality midfielders in Jeff Hendrick, Steven Defour and Johan Berg Gudmundsson, and their poor scoring record reflects it. Burnley were one of the lowest scoring sides in the league with 39 goals and their poor chance creation stats were one of the main reasons.
The Clarets could create just 261 chances in the whole of last season, and their move for Delph is very much understandable. The promising central midfielder is immensely versatile across the attacking third and looks sharp from the left-wing as well, where Guardiola has mostly deployed him last season. However, he could manage only 12 starts after coming back from injury, and failing to impress in them means he could see himself as a part of the massive overhaul City are processing.
The Leeds United youth product was one of the star signings for Aston Villa back in 2009. But, he failed to create any mark scoring three goals and providing seven assists in three seasons. He got yet another chance with City after that but has managed only three goals in two seasons. Maybe, he is one of those small club players, who excel with lesser stars alongside him in the field.
However, his career with the Manchester City was unfortunate as it was marred by injuries, and it makes him a risky prospect for Burnley. Since joining City, he has been sidelined as many as seven times where he missed 52 games over a span of two years. And Burnley cannot afford to miss him after buying him for a big amount, compared to their financial structure.
City had got him for £8m, and they would ask for more than that for him surely. To compound that, Burnley will face stiff competition from Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and even Celtic.
