Defour more settled at the Turf
It seems as though Steven Defour’s time at Burnley last season was played out in the Belgian press. if there was anything in all that at the time, then it is only fair to suggest there is as much in anything recorded in Belgium now.
The Nieuwsblad publication has reported that Defour is now working on preparing for a season at Burnley and has benefited from the heavy physical work under Sean Dyche. It claims he looks fitter than ever and covered 13 kilometres in the draw against Celta Vigo.
From wanting away at the end of last season, and with an interest from Olympiakos coach Besnik Hasi, things appear to have changed for the Belgian international. “Dyche wants more football ability in the midfield and holds the midfielder on his contract,” it reads, while adding: “For his part, Defour also wants to stay at Burnley.”
Defour is keen to be included in the Belgian squad for the World Cup in Russia next year. The 29-year-old has now past 50 caps for his country and has been very much part of their plans since Roberto Martinez took charge.
It’s almost a year since he arrived at Turf Moor and made an immediate impact with an assist on his debut against Liverpool before scoring a superb goal in his next home game against Hull. He’s become a hugely popular player with the Burnley fans in that time and remains so as could be seen from the reception he received recently when he came on as a substitute at Preston.
Given the speculation previously in the media, it has perhaps been something of a surprise to see him involved as much as he has in the pre-season but he’s taken part in every game and played the full 90 minutes against Celta Vigo on Tuesday night, and that’s something that hasn’t happened very often since he became a Claret.
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