Burnley have reportedly agreed on a deal for Stoke City’s Phil Bardsley for an undisclosed fee, which sees the Scotsman moving to Turf Moor on a two-year deal in what could be the 32-year-old’s last major move. After rubbing their backs against relegation last season, the Clarets have been quite active this summer in strengthening their back line and Bardsley adds to it.
Speaking to the media after the move, Bardsley said, “There’s still fire in the belly to achieve things in football and what a great chance. Coming back here and playing again at Turf Moor is going to be a great challenge and one I’m looking forward to.”
Though the fee isn’t made public Sportsmail has revealed that the Potters would receive an initial amount of £750,000 that could rise to £1.5 million if the agreed upon performance-related add-ons gets triggered.
Under Sean Dyche, Burnley went on a phenomenal home run last season collecting 33 points from 19 games. Away from home, the Clarets were pathetic, managing just seven points. However, the under average squad conceded only 55 goals and was widely appraised. And the manager is looking to build his squad on similar lines this season.
Dyche has brought in defensive midfielder Jack Cork from Swansea City and left back Charlie Taylor from Leeds United. The only attacking reinforcement remains of Jonathan Walters also from Stoke City, who is a centre forward.
Michael Keane’s big money move to Everton means we are yet to see a new centre half coming to Turf Moor this summer. Bardsley will bring chunks of experience with himself given his vast number of stints at different clubs. A right-back by nature, Bardsley isn’t likely to offer Dyche any new attacking dimension but mostly assurances in that position.
With Mathew Lowtown already an established option in the right-back’s role following his consistent displays last season, Bardsley would have to compete for a first team place in the squad. 25-year-old Tendayi Darikwa is on his way to Nottingham Forest after failing to feature in the league even once, which helps Bardsley well.
An academy product of Premier League side Manchester United, he couldn’t really break into their first team and the Red Devils kept him on loan stints till 2008 for five years since he first broke into the side. He has played for the likes of Royal Antwerp FC, Burnley FC, Rangers FC, Aston Villa and Sheffield United.
Sunderland bought him in 2008, where he had a decent six-year-run before he was released by the Black Cats after which he joined the Potters.
