Sean Dyche described Burnley FC free transfer as a “really good talent” – he was bang on

Sean Dyche described Burnley FC free transfer as a “really good talent”—he” was bang on

When Scott Arfield joined Burnley on a free transfer in the summer of 2013, he was a lesser-known player, but he ended up being a signing that embodied the Sean Dyche era.

It was assumed that Arfield would assist the Clarets in their attempt to avoid relegation when he joined them in July 2013, but that season ended up being one of the greatest underdog stories in recent Championship history.

Burnley ended up romping to an unlikely promotion, and Arfield was a crucial gear in that wheel. Burnley was one of the favourites to face relegation in 2013–14 after losing Charlie Austin on the eve of the season.

Recruiting players like Arfield, Tom Heaton, and David Jones on free transfers was as good as it got at the time because the Clarets’ resources were extremely tight due to the termination of their parachute payments from their first season in the top division.

However, because the three played a significant role in that well-known promotion, that season demonstrated that wealth isn’t necessarily a guarantee of success.

Sean Dyche foresaw Scott Arfield’s success at Burnley

Sean Dyche

Few Burnley supporters can claim to have predicted this success story because Scott Arfield was not well-known prior to his relocation to East Lancashire; Sean Dyche was one person who did.

Although the previous Clarets manager’s assessment that Arfield was a “really good talent” was later proven to be accurate, at the time, few people had seen any evidence to support it.

There were doubts about Arfield’s capacity to go to the championship because he had spent the majority of his career hopping around in Scotland and the lesser levels.

Scott Arfield’s Burnley FC Career Stats (As per Transfermarkt)
Appearances Goals Assists
193 22 11

However, he played an amazing 45 out of 46 games and contributed to 11 goals during his debut season, thereby dispelling the naysayers.

Arfield was actually a different animal at the Championship level because he participated in every game during Burnley’s subsequent promotion campaign in 2015-16, improving his goal contribution total from the previous promotion season by helping to score 14 goals the second time around.

Arfield’s success in the championship is a credit to his professionalism, but it also demonstrates how highly Dyche, a manager who undoubtedly selects teams based on trust, thought of him.

Burnley gave Scott Arfield the platform to have a stellar career

Scott Arfield

Being a member of the 2017–18 team that finished seventh and earned a spot in the Europa League gave Arfield some of the greatest highs most Burnley supporters have experienced—and maybe will experience in their lifetime.

After leaving Turf Moor at the end of the 2017–18 season, the Scottish wide player did compete in the 2018–19 Europa League qualifiers, but not for Burnley. Instead, he played for Rangers.

Arfield left East Lancashire and went on to win trophies with Rangers, play frequently in Europe, and even compete in the 2022 Europa League final.

Rangers benefited from him just as much as Burnley did, but all of it was made possible by Dyche’s belief in him back in 2013.

Arfield played for Charlotte FC in the MLS after leaving Rangers, and as his incredible career comes to an end, he now plays for Bolton Wanderers in League One.

Read more news on https://sportupdates.co.uk/

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*