You get the impression Burnley really want a great youth academy but also that they aren’t prepared to put in any kind of investment to get it. While the coaching staff do an admirable job of maximising the talents of those in the system, ultimately the majority end up dropping out of the professional game shortly after leaving Burnley.
There are some bright sparks here though with a very small Burnley squad leading to an increasing use of the likes of Anthony Driscoll-Glennon to at least fill up the squad and sit on the bench. Can any of them develop enough to become first team regulars in a notoriously grizzled and experienced Burnley squad?
I originally had Josh Benson listed as one to watch following his breakthrough last season but Burnley have now sold him for peanuts… Sean Dyche and I are very different people.
| U23 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Position | |
| GK | Marc Richter |
| CB | Richard Nartey |
| CB | Bobby Thomas |
| RB | Marcel Elva-Fountaine |
| LB | Anthony Driscoll-Glennon |
| CM | Josh Benson |
| CM | Ne-Jai Tucker |
| CM | Anthony Gomez Mancini |
| RW | Max Thompson |
| LW | Lewis Richardson |
| CF | Arman Taranis |
| U18 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Position | |
| GK | Sam Waller |
| CB | Dan Sassi |
| CB | Benn Ward |
| RB | Jacson Coppack |
| LB | Keelan Williams |
| CM | Will Hugill |
| CM | Will Couch |
| CM | Joe Bauress |
| RW | Kade Ratchford |
| LW | Ruairi Behan |
| CF | Michael Mellon |
Players in Profile - Three to Watch in 2021/2022
Richard Nartey
- Position: CB
- Age: 22
- Nationality: English
Richard Nartey joined Burnley from Chelsea and, in his first season, established himself as a player potentially capable of moving full time into the first team fold. A solidly built defender who is strong in the air, Nartey was on the bench several times last season as well as being a regular in the U23 squad. Having spent time on loan at Burton, whilst an employee at Chelsea, the defender has experience in the adult game but at twenty-two years old really needs to kick on and play more football. He signed a new twelve month contract this summer and has been vocal about his desire to play in the first team. Physically he will no doubt hold up fine, his technical ability may be his weakest aspect but in a Burnley side with very simple instructions on the ball it’s possibly not the greatest concern.
Lewis Richardson
- Position: CF
- Age: 18
- Nationality: English
18 year old Lewis Richardson has already made his Burnley debut, coming on for the final few minutes of games against Tottenham and Southampton. He is a regular member of the travelling squad for the first team now and is probably the best prospect in the Burnley youth system since Dwight McNeil. The striker is also capable of playing wide on the left but has started pre-season for the first eleven playing alongside Ashley Barnes in Burnley’s familiar 4-4-2. A former England U17 international, Richardson is quick and skilful with good instincts in front of goal without ever being a prolific centre forward (although that is partly because of the low quality of the players alongside him). Burnley have probably the smallest squad in the Premier League so Richardson is the kind of prospect you would expect Dyche to be relying upon.
Anthony Gomez Mancini
- Position: CM
- Age: 20
- Nationality: French
Signed from Angers after spending last season on loan with Burnley’s youth team, Anthony Gomez Mancini has started preseason as part of the first team fold and impressed fans with his energetic performances in an unfamiliar right wing position. The former France U19 international lacks true pace but he has an engine that allows him to get around the pitch and possesses an excellent passing range. With a classy first touch, he offers something a little different from Burnley’s industrious midfielders but it remains to be seen if Dyche will trust a player focused on the retention of possession in his team. Early indicators - shunting him out on the right wing - suggest Dyche will still expect a solid two banks of four rather than bringing the creative Mancini into the centre.