Thomasson Could Be Clarets Midfield Missing Link
Burnley have failed to live up to the expectations this season after pulling a rabbit out of the hat last term. The Clarets qualified for the Europa League group stages but couldn’t beat Greek giants Olympiakos before the start of this season. Sean Dyche’s side have also endured a slow start to the season, which has seen the club in and around the Premier League relegation zone for most of the season. However after a recent revival in form the Clarets have climbed the table although they remain five points above the drop zone.
What Burnley have lacked this season is a creative midfielder, someone who can link-up play, dictate the tempo of the game and contribute with goals. Despite having the likes of Chris Wood, Ashley Barnes, Matej Vydra and Peter Crouch, Sean Dyche needs to identify a player that can be trusted to break the lines and create opportunities from midfield.
Keeping the player’s profile in mind, the Clarets should target Adrien Thomasson as a summer signing from Strasbourg. He joined Strasbourg from FC Nantes last summer and has been fantastic in his debut season at Stade de la Meinau. Five goals and six assists thus far tells one the impact he has had in Strasbourg colours. His playing style and attributes, would see Thomasson thrive under Sean Dyche at Burnley.
The Frenchman is an attacking midfielder by trade but has played in various positions across the midfield and the attack in Ligue 1 for Strasbourg. He is dangerous in the final third due to his creativity, dribbling skills and link-up play. The 25-year-old tends to drop deep to pick up the ball before drifting wide to cut inside with his pace and trickery and using his awareness to make runs behind the backline.
Furthermore, Thomasson is a cool and composed finisher in front of goal, possessing an inert understanding of where the goal is irrespective of how much pressure he’s under. His movement and game awareness are usually perfect, making him a threat anywhere in the opposition half. With his creativity, flair and composure on the ball, Thomasson will add a cutting edge to the Burnley attack that has been lacking all this season. Dyche should make a move for the Strasbourg star in the summer if he wants to challenge for a top ten spot next season.
