Vincent Kompany’s second job in management saw him trade Belgium for the North West as he penned a contract with Burnley.
The changes are already in full force, both in terms of style, and playing staff.
Numerous outgoings which have been covered in previous articles have been replaced with younger blood on the whole. The dramatic turn of events that saw long-standing cult hero manager Sean Dyche leave the club has prompted a complete overhaul in terms of the Clarets’ identity.
The inside scope through Burnley’s social media, and the current friendlies have emphasised the style that Vincent Kompany wants to play, progressive football, through the lines, on the deck, from the back.
Ex Anderlecht skipper Josh Cullen seems to be a focal point in terms of moving the ball out from the back if the performance against Shrewsbury is any indicator of how the Clarets will look to play when the season kicks off next Friday. Cullen was dropping deep to make a 3 man defence, whilst full-backs Charlie Taylor and Connor Roberts took a more advanced role, before quickly shuffling back into the 4 when the ball is turned over.
Samuel Bastien was deployed as a wide attacking midfielder in what looked to a 4-2-2-2. This contrasted to later on in the game as Ne-Jai Tucker was getting high up to help Ashley Barnes later in the Shrewsbury game, but from 90 minutes evidence, the Clarets look a lot more versatile and adept at reacting to when the game swings to put them under pressure.
Further, Kompany seems to have unlocked the playmaker in Josh Brownhill, with the midfielder taking the left-hand attacking midfield spot, dropping deep and linking up play, and this freedom for the draconian 442 that Sean Dyche used to play, seems to have really let the shackles off, as can be evidenced by him grabbing all 3 assists in a 3-1 win, with two delicious crosses to the back post as part of those 3, which were tapped in by Ne-Jai Tucker and Bobby Thomas respectively.
It’s anyones guess who will be in the starting 11 come Huddersfield, as well as what the formation will be, with a number of different possibilities.
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