For a side like Burnley, the first priority is, of course, to avoid relegation after being promoted last summer. They have met the basic yardsticks this term, garnered a home form to brag about, haven’t flirted with the bottom three places and could finish in the mid-table positions. Placed 13th in the league table, their form, however, has started to dwindle a bit lately. Having said that, it would be unfair to be too harsh on Sean Dyche and his brigade, for they are separated by a couple of points from Stoke City who are placed ninth in the League.
There is something or the other happening all round the clock in the top tier of English football. With other sides leaving no stone unturned to make the signings they need to bolster their side, the Clarets haven’t had the luxury of adding any marquee players this month, though we are not counting out a last moment deadline day deal which might leave us with awe.
Reportedly, one of the names to be in contention for a move to the Turf Moor is that of Ashley Westwood. The midfielder has been on Burnley’s radar for quite some time now and in the coming hours, Dyche will have the best chance to get hold of what is a prized asset in his eyes. Aston Villa are willing to let him go for the right price, which is believed to be in the vicinity of £5 million. Despite not being at the peak of their form, Steve Bruce has signed the likes of Henri Lansbury, Conor Hourihane and Birkir Bjarnason which has pushed Westwood down in the pecking order.
Westwood covers every blade of grass, is technically very sound, picks up the ball and pushes forward impeccably well when he has the chance to. Speaking in an unbiased manner, he is a grafting pro who never made a fuss at Aston Villa.
Although his spell in the Premier League wasn’t one that would make the Burnley fans stand up on their feet, the last seven odd months have helped him in his development.
So far this campaign in the Championship, he has accumulated 23 appearances and created 11 chances in those games, which implies that he has been getting minutes under his belt. Dyche can immediately engineer Westwood in his starting line-up and derive the best out him, should the deal materialise. And yes, he isn’t a ‘water-carrier’; he is more about energy and competency.
