Anders Lindegaard, the former Manchester United goalkeeper who is currently at Burnley is set to sign a contract extension. According to reports, Lindegaard has signed a contract which will keep him at Turf Moor until June 2019. He joined them last summer in a free transfer.
Lindegaard made just 19 appearances in the Premier League in his 5-year stint at Manchester United. The Danish goalkeeper then went on to join West Bromwich Albion by signing a two-year contract. His stint at the Hawthorns was unsuccessful as he didn’t manage to break into the first team and couldn’t manage a single appearance in the Premier League for them. He had a decent stint at Preston North end who he joined on loan in the 2015-16 season.
It has been tough going for Lindegaard as he has struggled to get regular playing time in any of the clubs which he has joined. Burnley had to cope with an injury to their first choice goalkeeper, Tom Heaton, who also happens to be their club Captain. In his absence, Nick Pope, the young Englishman has stepped it up. Now that Heaton is back, Dyche has still preferred Pope as Heaton is short on game time. Pope with his great performances is in line to be picked for England national team squad for the World Cup. Though he isn’t guaranteed a start as Gareth Southgate will most probably favour Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland over Nick Pope.
After Tom Heaton’s lengthy layout it was expected that the former Manchester United goalkeeper could get some playing time. But Lindegaard has been on the substitute bench for the Clarets in his last 27 games in the Premier League. Burnley who are sitting comfortably on seventh this season are eyeing for a spot in the European competitions next season. Burnley are currently two points behind the Gunners having played a game more.
Lindegaard would feel slightly unlucky that he was preferred over Nick Pope at the beginning of the season when Tom Heaton was out injured. Nick Pope grabbed his chances with both hands as he put in some terrific performances for Burnley. Burnley who have built their season on the back of clean sheets and defensive stability, Nick Pope, has played a huge role in that. With such heroic performances, Pope has pipped Tom Heaton for the number one choice as of now.
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Though Dyche seems to indicate that after a bit of playing time, Heaton, will become the first choice starter for the Clarets and this would mean Pope might be confined to the bench. Various clubs will certainly show interest in him in the summer and Pope would like to go to a club where he is guaranteed of a start. In that scenario, Burnley will need a backup goalkeeper and that is why they have extended their contract with Lindegaard for one more season.
