Steven Defour: his own words

Belgianclaret · Post by **Belgianclaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:20 am

Here's an extract of an interview by Defour in a Belgian newspaper today (I have translated it word for word for you all, without any further comment, as my viewpoint on this is already known):

Defour is looking out for a new club after an unsuccessful season at Burnley.
"But a return to Belgium is not on the cards" according to the midfielder. "I have to make the right choice for my career."
Defour was again not called up by Martinez for the coming internationals. But he did visit Defour to discuss the situation."That gave me a lot of pleasure" says Defour."I still fit in his plans, but now I have to make the right choice for my career. I do not want to experience another year like this one."

So, Defour wishes to leave Burnley. He started his adventure in the Premier League strongly, but then seemed to be forgotten on the bench.

"I have no regrets about my choice for Burnley, because all went well at the start. The manager believed in me and I played some good games. But after that a strange period followed. I still don't understand why I landed on the bench. But that happens in football. I started well, but unfortunately it didn't last.
And now? I still have to let things sink in and see what comes up. The whole picture must fit. The most important thing is that I am happy. And I also want to listen to my girlfriend. We will look at any proposal.
I do not wish to return to Belgium at the moment. In Belgium, I only want to play for KV Mechelen to close my career, but I have not reached that stage yet. I am still motivated to play at the highest level."

ClaretAndJew · Post by **ClaretAndJew** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:24 am

So at least we have some direct quotes.

Interesting and also unsurprising.

Great player and it's a shame.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:56 am

Motivated to play at the highest level?

So the move to the middle east that we hijacked was what exactly?

IndigoLake · Post by **IndigoLake** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:00 am

The new gaffer will make better use of Defour

CleggHall · Post by **CleggHall** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:01 am

Thanks for that Belgianclaret, at least we now know definitively what Defour thinks and wants. A pity but obviously not a Sean Dyche man.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:04 am

It's disappointing but how many times did we see him this season making it clear he wanted to come off in games? At his best he could be brilliant for us, but I get the impression his attitude is nowhere near right. Fair enough, he's homesick, more so his girlfriend I'm told.

Direct quotes maybe, but it is very much one side of the story.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:06 am

I like Defour,sad it didn't work out for him,great footballer,Good Luck Steven and thanks for everything you did at our club.

claretdom · Post by **claretdom** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:07 am

Look forward to seeing which club at a higher level comes in for him and where he ends up, especially with his national manager visiting him which gave him a lot of pleasure. His comments show a desire to play for Belgium and with the World Cup next summer he surely won't be going to Qatar or China or some other tinpot league for a large amount of cash will he.

Bye Steven

hampsteadclaret · Post by **hampsteadclaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:12 am

I liked him and disappointed in what I see there.

Can any of the football experts on here explain why Dyche wouldn't pick him, because Defour doesn't explain it there.

- as CleggHall says..'obviously not a Sean Dyche man'.

Why though?

Was it lack of fitness?

Did he not work hard enough, get up and down enough?

Did he not get on with other players?

Did he and his partner not settle in the area?

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:14 am

hampsteadclaret wrote:Can any of the football experts on here explain why Dyche wouldn't pick him, because Defour doesn't explain it there.

Maybe the interviewer should have asked him about his collection of injuries and how many times he wasn't available.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:17 am

hampsteadclaret wrote:I liked him and disappointed in what I see there.

Can any of the football experts on here explain why Dyche wouldn't pick him, because Defour doesn't explain it there.

- as CleggHall says..'obviously not a Sean Dyche man'.

Why though?

Was it lack of fitness?

Did he not work hard enough, get up and down enough?

Did he not get on with other players?
Anyone know here Defour lived while playing for us,if you can't settle in the beautiful surroundings of Lancashire/Cheshire....there's something wrong with you.
Did he and his partner not settle in the area?

kaptin1 · Post by **kaptin1** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:29 am

I guess the problem for us is that we will struggle to afford players who have both the necessary talent and endeavour. Either you get honest workhorses like Arfield and Boyd or players like Defour who can change a game at this level but will be a bit hit and miss when it comes to work ethic. Sounds to me like Defour is a player that you have to build a team around, make him feel loved and accept you won't always get 100% back. Unfortunately that is not a Dyche type player but is probably the type we need to be able to accommodate if we are going to stay at this level. That aside, we need to hope we can pick up young players like Keane and Mee who we can develop, but they are always a calculated risk.

Right_winger · Post by **Right_winger** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:31 am

ClaretTony wrote:Maybe the interviewer should have asked him about his collection of injuries and how many times he wasn't available.

Maybe if he was actually injured he shouldn't have been on the bench/available?

ClaretAndJew · Post by **ClaretAndJew** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:32 am

Yeah, why did we buy him if he was so crocked and injured?

Corky · Post by **Corky** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:35 am

ClaretTony wrote:Maybe the interviewer should have asked him about his collection of injuries and how many times he wasn't available.

Commitment I think is the word you are looking for CT. Reading between the lines of course.

MT03ALG · Post by **MT03ALG** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:43 am

Defour would fit perfectly into a 3-5-2 system. Unfortunately for him at BFC we play 4-4-2.

kaptin1 · Post by **kaptin1** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:44 am

It's been interesting watching his body language over the past few weeks of the season. Generally warming up on his own or with one of the coaches. Sat on the bench slumped so far down his seat he was virtually laid down. Little obvious interaction with other players. Clearly not a happy bunny.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:56 am

MT03ALG wrote:Defour would fit perfectly into a 3-5-2 system. Unfortunately for him at BFC we play 4-4-2.

And fortunately for us, we don't play 3 at the back. 4-4-1-1 would have worked for him as well, with him being the most attacking of a midfield 3.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:04 am

truth is he might be skillfull but not committed to the harsh finess regime at Burnley, injuries aside, sometimes he couldnt maintain his pace and was subbed off.

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:08 am

And our away performances early in the season, when Defour was playing, were abysmal. When he was replaced, we at least looked like getting results (at least we lost 2-1 instead of 3-0!)

IndigoLake · Post by **IndigoLake** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:09 am

The tagline on the instagram profile of Defour's Mrs says 'next stop Dubai'

https://www.instagram.com/ornella_posts/?hl=en" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(Could just be a holiday of course)

Steve-Harpers-perm · Post by **Steve-Harpers-perm** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:10 am

Two sides to every story. If he was that bothered about being dropped to the bench maybe he needs for example to show more desire on the training ground? Maybe Dyche will use him more after a proper pre season with us. Maybe he genuinely hasn't settled and wants a move away.

Loads of possible reasons but whining to the Belgian press does him no favours what so ever.

Steve-Harpers-perm · Post by **Steve-Harpers-perm** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:12 am

IndigoLake wrote:The tagline on the instagram profile of Defour's Mrs says 'next stop Dubai'

https://www.instagram.com/ornella_posts/?hl=en" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(Could just be a holiday of course)

Holiday? Weekend away!? Hardly conclusive proof he's secured a move to Dubai!!

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:17 am

anyone watching him knew he was a talent, sean dyche more than anybody will have wanted to utilise that, if he didn't then there was obviously an issue with the player.It was never going to be about how we set ourselves up against opponents. Defour is the problem in my view.

RMutt · Post by **RMutt** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:18 am

In the context of playing for Premier League survival I could see why he might not have been a regular starter. The defence first strategy made him a difficult choice to go to. But if we have hopes of developing into a more attractive footballing side you would think he would be just the sort of player we would need. It is a little disappointing that Dyche appears not to have persuaded him of this and suggest another season of the cautious approach?

IndigoLake · Post by **IndigoLake** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:19 am

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote:Holiday? Weekend away!? Hardly conclusive proof he's secured a move to Dubai!!

Not saying it is

beeholeclaret · Post by **beeholeclaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:28 am

My thoughts for what they're worth;

Great player on his day (there have been lots of those players around over the years),

There have been so many times when we have been a goal behind (or level) and needing some kind of inspiration or skill to open things up and I have hoped that Defour would be brought on but to no avail. This disappoints me.

Having been brought up on players like Leighton James, Ralph Coates and Doug Collins I love to see attractive football and Defour has all the skills to fit into that category. Thousand of Clarets fans want to see more of this ability displayed in games.

However Sean Dyche's job is to keep Burnley in the Premier league and progress as many of the players as possible. Dyche has said many times that "games in the Premier League are decided on fine margins. 100% effort is the minimum requirement in every game. It is all about the "group" not the individual. No egos in our team." With this in mind here are a few points that I have observed with regard to Defour.

He has a previous track record of injuries? He has been injured on a number of occasions in his one season with Burnley. He has in a number of games being playing well and received a standing ovation as he left the field after 60 to 70 minutes. He has "apparently" let it be known in the Belgian press during the season that he is unhappy with the manager's decisions and "bizarre" team selection - as presumably Defour is not the first name on the team sheet. This implies an "ego" issue. We dont know what he is like on the training ground? I would be surprised if he showed the same 110% commitment on a cold, rainy January morning at Gawthorpe as say Ben Mee or Scotty Arfield. All these factors will create an impression in the managers mind. Dyche will want players to show that commitment to the group and to his team mates. Not just in a few games but every single game and for the full 90 minutes plus. Can Defour do this? I think not. I think he comes across as a sulky schoolboy and not the type of "man" that Dyche likes to have in his team. I think this was summed up when he came on as sub against West Ham. Dyche was trying to give him instructions as he stood on the line waiting to go on. Defour steadfastly ignored Dyche turning his head the opposite way and apparently was not interested in what the manager had to say and at one stage Dyche grabbed his arm as if to say "listen to what I want you to do".

That to me summed up their relationship. Footballers are lucky to be doing a job they love and I would imagine Defour has received a lot of money for his time at Burnley so I dont feel particularly sorry for him. Dyche doesnt always get it right and is frustrating at times but despite this if we had won two of the last three games from winning positions we would have been in the top ten of the Premier League. Disappointing that things have not worked out for him at Burnley and I've enjoyed his contribution as much as anybody else but we need to keep searching for those little gems who can blend the skills with work rate that is needed in Premier League.

Good luck to Steven but even more good luck to "the group".

Spike · Post by **Spike** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 12:57 pm

hampsteadclaret wrote:I liked him and disappointed in what I see there.

Can any of the football experts on here explain why Dyche wouldn't pick him, because Defour doesn't explain it there.

- as CleggHall says..'obviously not a Sean Dyche man'.

Why though?

Was it lack of fitness?

Did he not work hard enough, get up and down enough?

Did he not get on with other players?

Did he and his partner not settle in the area?

I think it was all of the above.

IAmAClaret · Post by **IAmAClaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 1:03 pm

Shame.

His Mrs didn't look homesick coming out of Selfridges with a load of bags the other day though? Defour did, sat playing on an iPad waiting for her.

THEWELLERNUT70 · Post by **THEWELLERNUT70** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 1:42 pm

He has a heart the size of a pea unfortunately

CnBtruntru · Post by **CnBtruntru** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 1:50 pm

IndigoLake wrote:The tagline on the instagram profile of Defour's Mrs says 'next stop Dubai'

https://www.instagram.com/ornella_posts/?hl=en" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(Could just be a holiday of course)

It actually says "Dubai SD", she going to do a runner

Tall Paul · Post by **Tall Paul** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:27 pm

IAmAClaret wrote:Shame.

His Mrs didn't look homesick coming out of Selfridges with a load of bags the other day though? Defour did, sat playing on an iPad waiting for her.

What do homesick people look like?

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:31 pm

Real shame, genuinely quality player.

IAmAClaret · Post by **IAmAClaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:43 pm

Tall Paul wrote:What do homesick people look like?

: homesick.gif (499.36 KiB) Viewed 5126 times

Cleveleys_claret · Post by **Cleveleys_claret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:54 pm

His missus is the biggest problem.....and no I don't no her but things like her post when they went to watch Anderlecht at Old Trafford and she hashtagged #pass. In other games which she has attended which didn't involve Burnley she has put things like #proper football #play to strengths #onthefloor. Which I find to be digs at our system, I may be wrong but I don't believe in coincidences happening so often

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 3:24 pm

'Fair enough, he's homesick, more so his girlfriend I'm told'

If he was homesick, surely he would return home...?
That is not the intention at all, so homesick does not wash.

Beautiful to watch - if only his commitment matched the others...

I am left with 2 wonderful goals and no regrets. Thank you Steven Defour and good luck. I assume we will get our money back!

wilks_bfc · Post by **wilks_bfc** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 3:53 pm

Don't think it's so much being homesick as not being able to adapt to "Lancashire life" - or north west life for that matter

I have no doubt "they" would have adjusted to the English way had he signed for a London club

CarlesTheClaretPuyol · Post by **CarlesTheClaretPuyol** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 4:14 pm

The situation with Defour was the one disappointment in a fantastic season. Sorely underused and head and shoulders above anyone I've ever seen in a Burnley shirt, and the man we could have built the team around rather than shoehorn into positions or systems that did not fit his overwhelming ability as a play maker.

However, we stayed up so I'm not going to question Dyche's selection any more than the 'what if' scenario of him being our maestro

Absolute pleasure to have seen a player of his ability at the Turf and I wish him all the best.

BleedingClaret · Post by **BleedingClaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 4:34 pm

How is he under used
When he was on he wanted to come off

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 4:42 pm

We've seen so little of him I genuinely don't care if he goes, you can have all the talent in the world but if the application isn't there....

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 6:07 pm

I blame Belgiumclaret worst agent the club has ever dealt with

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 6:11 pm

Good player, so what if he struggled to last 90 minutes of PL football, that's what substitutes are for.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 6:14 pm

BleedingClaret wrote:How is he under used
When he was on he wanted to come off

Spot on

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 6:52 pm

ClaretTony wrote:Spot on

Sadly that was very visible too.

ClaretAL · Post by **ClaretAL** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 6:55 pm

Agreed spot on.

I have never seen a player look and talk to the dug out as often as Defore. At time it was like watching a blind date, and he just didn't want to be there.

Belgianclaret · Post by **Belgianclaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:12 pm

bfcjg wrote:I blame Belgiumclaret worst agent the club has ever dealt with

Give me your address please so I can sue you

Belgianclaret · Post by **Belgianclaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:25 pm

ClaretAL wrote:Agreed spot on.

I have never seen a player look and talk to the dug out as often as Defore. At time it was like watching a blind date, and he just didn't want to be there.

I think many on here are unfortunately judging on impressions not facts. He's clearly disappointed that it has not worked out and feels the gaffer lost faith in him after a strong start.
No real disrespect in his statement if you ask me.
I think it cannot be denied that SD decided abt halfway season that he didn't fit in his plans (in October last year he explained he came to Burnley because SD really wanted him.
Fair play to the gaffer, he decides and he ensured survival.
Shame on the other hand we didn't see the best of him. Needs to be a central figure in a team, so best he moves on I guess.

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:38 pm

Belgianclaret wrote:I think many on here are unfortunately judging on impressions not facts. He's clearly disappointed that it has not worked out and feels the gaffer lost faith in him after a strong start.
No real disrespect in his statement if you ask me.
I think it cannot be denied that SD decided abt halfway season that he didn't fit in his plans (in October last year he explained he came to Burnley because SD really wanted him.
Fair play to the gaffer, he decides and he ensured survival.
Shame on the other hand we didn't see the best of him. Needs to be a central figure in a team, so best he moves on I guess.

Of course you'll say it's best he moves on as you'll get your cut of yet another transfer fee

What's Belgian for Kerching?

Belgianclaret · Post by **Belgianclaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:42 pm

mkmel wrote:Of course you'll say it's best he moves on as you'll get your cut of yet another transfer fee

What's Belgian for Kerching?

In this case I could translate it as NOWT

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:57 pm

Belgianclaret wrote:Give me your address please so I can sue you

Culvert
Heading to the Turf side
Second Alcove
Before Kings taxis
Burnley
UTC NNN LLTV

Just getting used to the address in case Corbyn wins ☺