Summer transfer window

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

To those blaming the club, what do we do with Dodgson, Costelloe even Churlinov and the likes? Start offering bigger longer contracts in the hope they do a CJ? And then lumbered with them if / when they dont!?

Besides we may have been aware of his potential (no doubt we were) and offered him terms. But with him not playing perhaps he wanted to reject that?

[Mattster]

It’s only common sense now because you have the benefit of hindsight. Presumably you will be able to provide a link of where you were recommending the club extend his contract ?

Bit of a redundant point, Egan-Riley's contract length wasn't consistently reported anywhere. My assumption at the start of the season was we had a one year option (given it was reported as a 3yr deal some places and 4yr in others). So I wasn't about to be saying anything about his contract in the summer.

The club, however, knew the contract length.

[Mattster]

To those blaming the club, what do we do with Dodgson, Costelloe even Churlinov and the likes? Start offering bigger longer contracts in the hope they do a CJ? And then lumbered with them if / when they dont!?

Besides we may have been aware of his potential (no doubt we were) and offered him terms. But with him not playing perhaps he wanted to reject that?

That's exactly what the club have done with Costelloe, is it not?

[Conroy92]

Would much rather have O'Shea back than THB.

[Big Vinny K]

Bit of a redundant point, Egan-Riley's contract length wasn't consistently reported anywhere. My assumption at the start of the season was we had a one year option (given it was reported as a 3yr deal some places and 4yr in others). So I wasn't about to be saying anything about his contract in the summer.

The club, however, knew the contract length.

Yep they knew his contract length and didn’t think he was worth offering a contract extension.
Do you seriously think we would have bought all the centre backs we have in the last 3 or 4 years if they thought E-R was going to have the season he just has ?

You are criticising for the club for something that literally not one supporter was advocating at the time. Whether you thought he had a 3 or 4 year contract is completely irrelevant because at no point did you think he was worthy of a new contract. So let’s not pretend you thought otherwise. Or are you saying that we should be renewing the contracts of all our young players irrespective of how they have done at the club ?

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

Would definitely take THB myself. I felt he was liked here and did well. And from what I heard, he wanted to come back the season we went up but VK didnt want him.

Has played (and scored) for England. He is 23. Has come through the same ranks as CJER and has loads of potential to improve yet. And worse case has proven himself at Championship level at a very young age!

Would be a very good signing.

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

That's exactly what the club have done with Costelloe, is it not?

I am not sure tbh. But not many would be bothered either way!

[Conroy92]

I assume he had been watched on loan by the club and seen in training, that ability didn't just manifest overnight. I also doubt anyone would have been up in arms over a contract extension on the basis Parker coming in and assessing his squad. It's also just common sense to protect the value of younger assets and his demands would have been a lot smaller at that point.

It's not as simple as this. Why would a player who believes he's good enough, who's been moved out on loan and deemed not good enough by us, sign a contract extension with us.

[warksclaret]

Suspect Howard Bayliss will cost £15m-£20m. I am not as against him coming back as some on here. He was a good CH when with us, and has two more season's experience including one in the PL since then. Whilst Saints were comprehensively relegated, he did keep his position in the team under three different managers and got an England call up-plus I think he really liked his time here and probably had hoped we would sign him when we got promoted. He is not totally dissimilar to CJER, and more of a footballing centre half who can read the game, than an out and out physical defender. Suspect he is Parkers type of player. In these transfer windows we need to be mindful we are Burnley FC and not a giant of a PL football teams-we will be competing with many clubs and the thought of someone like THB joining is a good achievement

[Mattster]

So let’s not pretend you thought otherwise. Or are you saying that we should be renewing the contracts of all our young players irrespective of how they have done at the club ?

Not all, but those that we conceivably could get a fee for or that feel have that potential - Yes.

Not sure what is controversial about that, it's pretty standard practice in football.

[Mattster]

It's not as simple as this. Why would a player who believes he's good enough, who's been moved out on loan and deemed not good enough by us, sign a contract extension with us.

A new manager/clean slate re: playing opportunities at Championship level plus security along with sensible release clauses if those opportunities don't arise would most likely have been enough for CJ in summer. From club perspective he seemed involved with the squad by Parker early on, a relatively cheap extension to protect his value would make sense from both squad and financial perspective.

[Big Vinny K]

Not all, but those that we conceivably could get a fee for or that feel have that potential - Yes.

Not sure what is controversial about that, it's pretty standard practice in football.

Whats perfectly standard practice ?

The only standard practice is that some players are offered new contracts and some are not.

What you are saying is ridiculous. No club gives our contract extensions to all of its young players. We have had loads of players who have left and done ok at other clubs.

[Mattster]

Whats perfectly standard practice ?

The only standard practice is that some players are offered new contracts and some are not.

What you are saying is ridiculous. No club gives our contract extensions to all of its young players. We have had loads of players who have left and done ok at other clubs.

It is standard practice for clubs to extend young players' deals where clubs think they'll be able to get a fee or they'll develop. I'm not sure how this has passed you by.

In the post you've quoted here I've said "Not all" and then you go and post this. What's the point engaging with you any further?

[agreenwood]

Hindsight is great, but nobody on here would have batted an eyelid if we’d moved him on last summer. His loan spells elsewhere seemed to have gone ok, but not amazingly well.

The season he’s just had was completely unexpected. He may never have even had it if Worrall hadn’t got injured for a prolonged spell.

By the time everyone realised the player we had, it was probably too late. Even if the club decided to operate “standard practice” and offer him a contract earlier to protect their asset, there’s no guarantee he would have signed it. If this summer has shown anything about CJ, it’s that he and his mum are always on the look out for new opportunities.

[PremierLeagueClass]

Only 2 months until we kick off in the Premier League. Heck of a lot to get sorted in that time.

[Big Vinny K]

It is standard practice for clubs to extend young players' deals where clubs think they'll be able to get a fee or they'll develop. I'm not sure how this has passed you by.

In the post you've quoted here I've said "Not all" and then you go and post this. What's the point engaging with you any further?

And how do you know the club thought they would get a fee for E-R or that he would develop ?
Why do you think the club did not offer him a contract ? Coming out with stuff like the club will hopefully learn lessons from this is just plain daft.

[NewClaret]

Would much rather have O'Shea back than THB.

I don’t really fancy either, but it’s a tough choice.

O’Shea is the better player, in my opinion. THB would be better for the dressing room though. He was a leader to be fair to him.

[bumba]

Not sure if it's been posted but Talking Town on YouTube are reporting that Nixon has said Ipswich are trying to sign Brownhill.
Really cannot see any legs in this whatsoever

[Newcastleclaret93]

I don’t really fancy either, but it’s a tough choice.

O’Shea is the better player, in my opinion. THB would be better for the dressing room though. He was a leader to be fair to him.

If Esteve stays then THB would be a very natural replacement for EGan Riley.

Similar passing ranges.

Would just slot in in my opinion. Whoever it is will require protection from midfield for sure.

[THEWELLERNUT70]

It's a little harsh to simply dismiss THB, I'd imagine our set up will be at complete odds with how Southampton set up last season which would you'd hope leave THB less exposed, plus he's now had top flight experience too, although admittedly it wasn't a great experience in an extremely poor Southampton side

[ksrclaret]

I was always a massive fan of Harwood-Bellis but at the 20 mill City wanted for him in 2023 it wasn't a good buy. Getting O'Shea for 7 and selling him on for double that was clearly the better business at the time.

If Harwood-Bellis is now available for a better price (hard to imagine), or a loan to buy if we stay up, I'd gladly have him back. He has his weaknesses, anyone Burnley sign this summer will do, but the way his personality shone through during his time with us suggests he's someone who would add something great to the team. He's really quite a good a player as well, despite his obvious difficulties last season.

[randomclaret2]

There's obviously still someone within the transfer committee/ recruitment team who is still keen on THB. Cant imagine he's a player SP has identified as a target.

[bumba]

THB hasn't done anything at all at Southampton to suggest he is worth anywhere close to £20 million.
Beyer was better in the championship but failed to step up last time albeit not his own fault at times.
I don't think he improves us in the slightest

[NewClaret]

If Esteve stays then THB would be a very natural replacement for EGan Riley.

Similar passing ranges.

Would just slot in in my opinion. Whoever it is will require protection from midfield for sure.

Just way too slow for me Newcastle. Turns like a cruise liner.

I think we need experience alongside Esteve to be honest and I thought that whether we signed CJ or not. I wouldn’t have minded seeing CJ as a 6 or at RB though.

Then we definitely need some good protection in front of him, I agree on that. A tall, tough tackling, quick to the ball 6 would be my number one priority above all else.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Speed is the problem with THB. With experience he will learn how to defend solidly but his speed means he can’t get away with things like, say, Esteve does.

For that reason I hope we look elsewhere.

[ksrclaret]

I can't help but to think that many of you will be disappointed when we eventually bring in ER's replacement. Speedy, strong, aerially dominant CBs who regularly bag from set pieces won't be dropping their boots off at Gawthorpe this summer.

[NewClaret]

I can't help but to think that many of you will be disappointed when we eventually bring in ER's replacement. Speedy, strong, aerially dominant CBs who regularly bag from set pieces won't be dropping their boots off at Gawthorpe this summer.

Possibly. And for that reason, I’m disappointed that we didn’t sign him.

We did find Esteve though… so it’s not impossible!

[billyhamilton82]

If Esteve stays then THB would be a very natural replacement for EGan Riley.

Similar passing ranges.

Passing range is the key and I fully agree he is the natural/obvious replacement for CJER.

The accurate passing out from the back is what we need to replace and THB is on a similar level in that respect.

He is a little slower but Esteve provides the pace and THB is a better defender.

Harwood Bellis is also a taller, stonger unit and better overall as a Premier league defender IMO.

Price doesn't really come into it, whoever comes in with Premier league experience whether its O'Shea or Hawood Bellis will be £15 million plus.

[warksclaret]

Loving the criticism on THB. This is someone who captained the greatest England U-21 teams this country has seen for around 20 games, and kept his place in both seasons when getting promoted for Saints then enduring a season in the PL but getting an England call up in that playing time . Playing for Saints this past season does not make you a bad players. THey have half a dozen players I would willingly have at Burnley

[ksrclaret]

Possibly. And for that reason, I’m disappointed that we didn’t sign him.

We did find Esteve though… so it’s not impossible!

Yeah Esteve was a cracking find, but even he occasionally attracts comments that he’s not dominant enough in the air and doesn’t score from set pieces!

We’ll have to compromise on attributes whoever we sign so I hope people don’t go looking for the negatives in who we bring in.

[billyhamilton82]

Loving the criticism on THB. This is someone who captained the greatest England U-21 teams this country has seen for around 20 games, and kept his place in both seasons when getting promoted for Saints then enduring a season in the PL but getting an England call up in that playing time . Playing for Saints this past season does not make you a bad players. THey have half a dozen players I would willingly have at Burnley

Saints had a similar season to us with a manager unwilling to change style/tactics and when they did it was too late.

The defence and goalkeepers are hung out to dry as they are mauled by the pace and power of the PL attackers.

Under Parker THB would be an Egan Riley upgrade IMO.

[bumba]

I can't help but to think that many of you will be disappointed when we eventually bring in ER's replacement. Speedy, strong, aerially dominant CBs who regularly bag from set pieces won't be dropping their boots off at Gawthorpe this summer.

I bet the people asking for THB back are the same fans who want Ben Mee back but also say Joe Gomez isn't good enough for us.
I know which of the three I'd have and it's the one who is twice the player the other two currently are.

[Woodleyclaret]

Imo Dara O'Shea would be a better bet than THB
He's useful at scoring from set piece situations.Also he can compliment Max Esteve.

[Mattster]

And how do you know the club thought they would get a fee for E-R or that he would develop ?
Why do you think the club did not offer him a contract ? Coming out with stuff like the club will hopefully learn lessons from this is just plain daft.

OK sure, I'd rather we learn no lessons from losing a player for absolutely nothing that we'll have spend £10m+ replacing.

Hope we do it again, even. That's obviously the non-daft thing to say.

[Mattster]

I bet the people asking for THB back are the same fans who want Ben Mee back but also say Joe Gomez isn't good enough for us.
I know which of the three I'd have and it's the one who is twice the player the other two currently are.

Joe Gomez is obviously good enough. But only for about 15 games a season.

[claretspice]

Personally I'm unconvinced by Harwood Bellis for the kevel we want to compete at. He's a good footballer (his short passing was more progressive than CJER I think but his long passing was good but nowhere near as outstanding as CJER) but when he was with us i was concerned he wasneither quick enough nor imposing enough to convince at Premier League level, certainly for the mooted price. I suspect Kompany thought the same which is why we bought O'Shea who was stronger and quicker. But for the way O'Shea reportedly left (if true - and only those inside the club are really placed to judge) purely on football grounds I'd certainly prefer a return for O'Shea to a a return for THB.

As for the idea more physically imposing centre halves might be beyond us - in the last decade we've had Keane, Tarkowski and then O'Shea and then Esteve who all tick that box. If we have to compromise at centre half it's on quality on the ball, and then pace. Being able to defend the box against Premier League opposition is an absolute non-negotiable (and I still think Worrall may play a greater role next season for that reason).

[bobinho]

Only 2 months until we kick off in the Premier League. Heck of a lot to get sorted in that time.

And the sooner people get their head around how long it’s going to take for us to get people in (and lose players that are going on to bigger and better things) the better don't you think?

[ollieclarets8]

Only 2 months until we kick off in the Premier League. Heck of a lot to get sorted in that time.

2 months is a long time and I'm sure Parker will be much more relaxed compared to last summer.

[Boss Hogg]

Wouldn’t want O Shea anywhere near this team. Couldn’t wait to leave and looked poor to me when I saw him last season.

[Targetman]

Hard to disagree but at the same time, from a purely practical standpoint, it will cost 10+ times that figure to replace CJER and we lost his value as a sellable asset in the future at the same time.

Say his agent wanted £1million, yeah that's a lot. But how much will it cost to replace him? THB being touted as a replacement is going to cost around 20 times that in fee alone, then you have whatever cut his agent wants and likely a higher wage than we'd have been paying CJER.

Hopefully a lesson has been learned regarding letting younger players get into the last year of their contract.

If anyone believes that the only reason Egan-Riley didn't sign a new contract was because the club wouldn't pay 'a huge' agent fee then they need to think again!

[RVclaret]

Personally I'm unconvinced by Harwood Bellis for the kevel we want to compete at. He's a good footballer (his short passing was more progressive than CJER I think but his long passing was good but nowhere near as outstanding as CJER) but when he was with us i was concerned he wasneither quick enough nor imposing enough to convince at Premier League level, certainly for the mooted price. I suspect Kompany thought the same which is why we bought O'Shea who was stronger and quicker. But for the way O'Shea reportedly left (if true - and only those inside the club are really placed to judge) purely on football grounds I'd certainly prefer a return for O'Shea to a a return for THB.

As for the idea more physically imposing centre halves might be beyond us - in the last decade we've had Keane, Tarkowski and then O'Shea and then Esteve who all tick that box. If we have to compromise at centre half it's on quality on the ball, and then pace. Being able to defend the box against Premier League opposition is an absolute non-negotiable (and I still think Worrall may play a greater role next season for that reason).

100% agree with all of that.

[CoolClaret]

Yeah, it's a no from me for THB as well... and I think it's just a lazy link anyway.

[NewClaret]

Wouldn’t want O Shea anywhere near this team. Couldn’t wait to leave and looked poor to me when I saw him last season.

He was good for us but did look poor last season.

Once you’ve left us like that, no going back in my opinion. Time for an opportunity for someone new to start their claret journey.

[ksrclaret]

Personally I'm unconvinced by Harwood Bellis for the kevel we want to compete at. He's a good footballer (his short passing was more progressive than CJER I think but his long passing was good but nowhere near as outstanding as CJER) but when he was with us i was concerned he wasneither quick enough nor imposing enough to convince at Premier League level, certainly for the mooted price. I suspect Kompany thought the same which is why we bought O'Shea who was stronger and quicker. But for the way O'Shea reportedly left (if true - and only those inside the club are really placed to judge) purely on football grounds I'd certainly prefer a return for O'Shea to a a return for THB.

As for the idea more physically imposing centre halves might be beyond us - in the last decade we've had Keane, Tarkowski and then O'Shea and then Esteve who all tick that box. If we have to compromise at centre half it's on quality on the ball, and then pace. Being able to defend the box against Premier League opposition is an absolute non-negotiable (and I still think Worrall may play a greater role next season for that reason).

No such idea has ever been mentioned.

[boyyanno]

https://thelaziali.com/2025/06/15/burnl ... stellanos/

This would seem unlikely but Taty Castellanos from Lazio linked.

[bumba]

Joe Gomez is obviously good enough. But only for about 15 games a season.

He was involved in 51 match day squads in 23/24, he's missed about 20 games last season through injury which isn't unusual for a hamstring injury which if it's come at a busy period for a club like Liverpool challenging on all fronts then they soon clock up.
He's good enough and I'd have him over the other two every day of the week

[Jakubs Tash]

Those saying VK didn’t sign Harwood-Bellis because he wasn’t good enough for the PL are peddling a lazy opinion based on nothing factual.

THB would’ve cost us £20m and O’Shea was the alternative at £7m. That was the decision that was made - not because THB wasn’t deemed good enough for the PL.

Those saying THB is too slow; he’s probably just as quick a Egan-Riley who was often quite ponderous in his movements when defending last season. Yet a lot of posters were quite happy to have Egan-Riley playing for us next season.


THB is better than Egan-Riley.

[Elizabeth]

Wouldn’t want O Shea anywhere near this team. Couldn’t wait to leave and looked poor to me when I saw him last season.

It's not only last season that he's not looked good enough for the PL. Hopefully Leeds will drawn into signing him.

[Rileybobs]

Not sure why Mattster is copping grief here. Clearly people within the club underestimated CJER’s potential for it to get to the position where he could leave for free. This isn’t hindsight, us fans are not tasked with managing these multi-million pound assets, that’s someone else’s job. Obviously mistakes happen, and this isn’t a real biggy, but let’s not pretend that the ball wasn’t dropped with CJER.

[alwaysaclaret]

Those saying VK didn’t sign Harwood-Bellis because he wasn’t good enough for the PL are peddling a lazy opinion based on nothing factual.

THB would’ve cost us £20m and O’Shea was the alternative at £7m. That was the decision that was made - not because THB wasn’t deemed good enough for the PL.

Those saying THB is too slow; he’s probably just as quick a Egan-Riley who was often quite ponderous in his movements when defending last season. Yet a lot of posters were quite happy to have Egan-Riley playing for us next season.


THB is better than Egan-Riley.

Think it's fair to say that THB is a more natural CB than CJER, CJER more a natural RB imo although was very capable in this season campaign, and especially when partnered with a world class CB in esteve, absolutely imperative we keep Steve.