Former Sunderland defender John Egan has struggled for game time under Scott Parker at Burnley this season.
The Republic of Ireland international defender began his career in England with the Black Cats back in 2009, staying until 2014 before stints with Gillingham, Brentford and Sheffield United. The 32-year-old was released by the Blades following their relegation from the Premier League last season but then signed for Burnley on a free transfer.
However, the experienced central defender has been limited to just 162 minutes in the Championship this season and has only started twice in the league for Parker against Middlesbrough and Norwich. The Clarets have enjoyed a sublime defensive record so far during 2024-25, conceding just nine goals.
Speaking on this week’s episode of the Sunderland Echo’s Roar Podcast, Burnley Express writer Matt Scrafton detailed Egan’s story at Turf Moor so far and the struggles the former Cats man is facing to break into Parker’s starting XI regularly.
“He’s done nothing wrong, absolutely done nothing wrong, but at the same time, he can have no complaints because the two ahead of him have just been absolutely brilliant,” Scrafton said. “Maxime Esteve, left-sided centre-half, Frenchman, brought in last January in the Premier League, he was absolutely brilliant in the Premier League and he’s dropped down to the Championship.
“They expected him to leave before the season got underway, he’s too good for the Championship, a very composed, calm player, got quality on the ball, he’s a definite starter, and then it was the position next to him was the question mark, and it was Joe Worrall, another quality player, who started the season after signing from Nottingham Forest.
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