The left-back played a key role in last season’s promotion under Vincent Kompany
Burnley are having another busy summer of recruitment, but left back remains a position which the Clarets are yet to strengthen.
Manager Vincent Kompany’s tally of new recruits stands at 11, including the permanent deals for Jordan Beyer and Michael Obafemi – who were at Turf Moor last season on loan. The Belgian handed out several debuts in last week’s opening clash with Manchester City, but Kompany went with a back three and wing-backs against the champions.
It was a system used very rarely by Burnley in last season’s title-winning campaign. Charlie Taylor was not involved against City though and 2022/23 loan star Ian Maatsen is back with parent club Chelsea. As a result, Vitinho was deployed down the left flank and tasked with bombing up and down for Burnley.
When asked about Maatsen last week, and fellow loan sensation Nathan Tella, Kompany said: “The reality is they used to be our players. They’re not our players at the moment, so you’re always a little bit in that conflicting situation because I know those players really well and the moments we had together we’ve had very good experiences together. But at the moment they’re not our players, so I have to respect the decision is not ours, even if they’re very good players that we like of course.”
Maatsen featured heavily in Chelsea’s pre-season but was often deployed in a midfield or advanced roles. And, with Moises Caicedo now in the building and Romeo Lavia being targeted, reports claim that the Blues could look to sell players in the final weeks of the window. The Evening Standard report that Chelsea will ‘step up’ plans to sell Maatsen and four other senior players. Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella and Lewis Hall are fighting for the same spot as Maatsen.
Burnley are yet to make their move at left-back but late availability of the Dutchman – whose price tag has been reported as £15-20million – would certainly give Kompany and co a decision to make. Manchester United youngster Alvaro Fernandez, who shone on loan for Preston North End last season, is another player to be linked with Burnley.
The Spaniard played his part in pre-season with the senior squad but is said to be attracting interest from West Ham – as well as Eintracht Frankfurt, Espanyol, Granada and Las Palmas. United’s asking price is claimed to be £6million, with Fernandez yet to make his first team debut for the Old Trafford club. He is entering the final year of his contract with United, who have a further one-year option.
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