ARTICLE:Egan-Riley leaves Burnley

[equinox]

He'd have been perfect as the central defender in a three at the back.

[Quicknick]

Cracking player and a massive surprise for us this last season.

Great move for him and sure it is the best for all concerned.

However, in the prem you need absolute monsters in defence and I would be pretty sure that the gaffer had an hand in sanctioning this move. OOC or not !

Parker will have learned what it needs from past mistakes I’m sure of this. Great player is CJ but, a monster he certainly is not.

Good luck to the lad - owes us nothing.

Parker's role: exactly what I was hinting at in a previous post. Totally agree with you.

[daveisaclaret]

Pretty special to still be getting comments saying it's a bad move for him for people who don't know which team he's signed for

[Row x]

Pretty special to still be getting comments saying it's a bad move for him for people who don't know which team he's signed for

Has he actually signed for anyone?

[Row x]

Pretty special to still be getting comments saying it's a bad move for him for people who don't know which team he's signed for

Who's he signed for?

[fidelcastro]

Who's he signed for?

That was his point. We don't know yet.

[Newchurch Claret]

He was great but isn’t big enough or quick enough to play as a centre back in the Prem.

He’s probably pocketed a huge signing fee because the signing club hasn’t had to shell out on a big tribunal fee so may well have splurged some of that on him. Agents at work (I understand from other posts that’s a family member) so they’re all lining their pockets and will be set up for life, which I for one can’t argue with.

He was messed about by the club in all honesty and only got the chance last season because (the frankly woeful carthorse) Worrall got injured.

We’ll miss his distribution, no doubt, but if we sign someone like Craig Dawson, we’ll be better off. If we’re relying on Worrall, and to a lesser extend Ekdal and Beyer (who surely can’t ever be the same player), we’ve got problems.

[boatshed bill]

Cracking player and a massive surprise for us this last season.

Great move for him and sure it is the best for all concerned.

However, in the prem you need absolute monsters in defence and I would be pretty sure that the gaffer had an hand in sanctioning this move. OOC or not !

Parker will have learned what it needs from past mistakes I’m sure of this. Great player is CJ but, a monster he certainly is not.

Good luck to the lad - owes us nothing.

He's the same height as Ben Mee.

[manuelbenny]

Seriously what is everyone going on about?!?!

CJ is going to be a huge miss..absolute brilliant player. Why oh why Kompany treat him the way he did only he knows. Quite clearly, an absolute superb footballer as he showed last season.

Great on the ball, best passer in the team, aggressive, a bit of an edge to him...and what's this about he has no pace??? I can't think of any moment when he was found wanting. Remember the last ditch tackle against Watford anyone.

Parker must feel gutted after he put his faith in him, but CJ owes us nothing and good luck to him

[ClaretAndBlue94]

Seriously what is everyone going on about?!?!

CJ is going to be a huge miss..absolute brilliant player. Why oh why Kompany treat him the way he did only he knows. Quite clearly, an absolute superb footballer as he showed last season.

Great on the ball, best passer in the team, aggressive, a bit of an edge to him...and what's this about he has no pace??? I can't think of any moment when he was found wanting. Remember the last ditch tackle against Watford anyone.

Parker must feel gutted after he put his faith in him, but CJ owes us nothing and good luck to him

Spot on.

Just a shame that it was fate that showed us how good he was. At that point, I am not sure anyone apart from CJ could have envisaged his growth with games.

He had been on the back of a few poor loans and without injuries, could well have been onto another miserable loan.

Fair play to him and hope he does well.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Seriously what is everyone going on about?!?!

CJ is going to be a huge miss..absolute brilliant player. Why oh why Kompany treat him the way he did only he knows. Quite clearly, an absolute superb footballer as he showed last season.

Great on the ball, best passer in the team, aggressive, a bit of an edge to him...and what's this about he has no pace??? I can't think of any moment when he was found wanting. Remember the last ditch tackle against Watford anyone.

Parker must feel gutted after he put his faith in him, but CJ owes us nothing and good luck to him

To be fair Parker put his faith in Joe Worrall. Other than for a broken foot, CJ may not have had his chance.

As for his skill on the ball and his passing range - THB had that and it didn’t help Southampton whatsoever did it? Not just most conceded but also fewest scored.

We need a “stopper” and build from there, CJ isn’t one of those, though may shine for a better team. But plenty are.

[fatboy47]

He's the same height as Ben Mee.

Mee more than held his own in his ariel battles in the top flight.
CJER won next to nothing in the air in the far less challenging second tier.

[Goliath]

Mee more than held his own in his ariel battles in the top flight.
CJER won next to nothing in the air in the far less challenging second tier.

I wasn't his biggest fan but saying he won next to nothing in the air is just ridiculous

[Bowclaret]

Mee more than held his own in his ariel battles in the top flight.
CJER won next to nothing in the air in the far less challenging second tier.

Yep, again, a great player. But let’s see how he gets on in an Ariel duel with Dan Burn !

[boatshed bill]

Here are some stats

Defending
Total
Per 90 or %
Percentile
Goals Conceded
13
0.32
99
Minutes Per Goal Conceded
277 min'
N/A
99
Clean Sheets
27
66%
99
Tackles
60
1.50
51
Interceptions
39
0.97
68
Ground Duels
276
6.90
19
Ground Duels Won
171
4.27
38
Aerial Duels Won
70
1.75
66
Dribbled Past
3
0.07
91
Clearances
179
4.47
84
Shots Blocked
28
0.70
87
Penalties Given Away 1

[claretspice]

Mee more than held his own in his ariel battles in the top flight.
CJER won next to nothing in the air in the far less challenging second tier.

This needs putting in context thought. Egan Riley is 22 and has one season of first team football behind him. When Ben Mee was the same age, he was just signing for Burnley and playing as a left back precisely because he was a bit on the slight side for a centre half. He was 25 or so before he moved into the centre of defence and he'd become significantly stronger through that period.

Egan Riley is slightly on the small side for a centre half and whilst he and Egan Riley did very well as a pairing last season, the relative lack of goals from either of them is one reflection of the fact they weren't the most physically imposing partnership we've had (although I don't think it is correct to say that ER won "next to nothing" in the air - he won plenty defensively and we conceded very few headed goals as a result). There's absolutely no reason why in the medium term Egan Riley shouldn't have the physicality for the Premier League - there have been plenty of successful smaller and slighter centre halves, including Ben Mee - but just like Ben Mee it's reasonable to wonder if that might be a weakness that is exposed when he first makes the jump to Premier League level.

I would have preferred us to keep Egan Riley and I think we will miss him. But I think it's reasonable to say that there is a slight question mark about the physicality of our side for next season and this does give us an opening to address that.

[Goliath]

This needs putting in context thought. Egan Riley is 22 and has one season of first team football behind him. When Ben Mee was the same age, he was just signing for Burnley and playing as a left back precisely because he was a bit on the slight side for a centre half. He was 25 or so before he moved into the centre of defence and he'd become significantly stronger through that period.

Egan Riley is slightly on the small side for a centre half and whilst he and Egan Riley did very well as a pairing last season, the relative lack of goals from either of them is one reflection of the fact they weren't the most physically imposing partnership we've had (although I don't think it is correct to say that ER won "next to nothing" in the air - he won plenty defensively and we conceded very few headed goals as a result). There's absolutely no reason why in the medium term Egan Riley shouldn't have the physicality for the Premier League - there have been plenty of successful smaller and slighter centre halves, including Ben Mee - but just like Ben Mee it's reasonable to wonder if that might be a weakness that is exposed when he first makes the jump to Premier League level.

I would have preferred us to keep Egan Riley and I think we will miss him. But I think it's reasonable to say that there is a slight question mark about the physicality of our side for next season and this does give us an opening to address that.

It could be to our advantage though if it means we replace him with someone with PL experience. I keep banging the MIchael Keane drum but given a direct choice between the 2 in our current context, then it'd be a be a no brainer for me to go for Keane.

[aggi]

Yep, again, a great player. But let’s see how he gets on in an Ariel duel with Dan Burn !

Are there many teams that play with a Dan Burn equivalent up front?

This thread did inspire me to look at the "aerial duels" stats though.

Screenshot 2025-06-13 110258.png (11.71 KiB) Viewed 2445 times

But my favourite was Hountondji. 1 header won, 13 lost.

[Conroysleftfoot]

Yep, again, a great player. But let’s see how he gets on in an Ariel duel with Dan Burn !

How do most players get on in an aerial dual with Dan Burn?

[aggi]

And with added Michael Keane

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

Will be sadly missed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75eY1KvACgI

What a season he had!

[boatshed bill]

It could be to our advantage though if it means we replace him with someone with PL experience. I keep banging the MIchael Keane drum but given a direct choice between the 2 in our current context, then it'd be a be a no brainer for me to go for Keane.

Isn't that why we have Worrall?

[manuelbenny]

To be fair Parker put his faith in Joe Worrall. Other than for a broken foot, CJ may not have had his chance.

As for his skill on the ball and his passing range - THB had that and it didn’t help Southampton whatsoever did it? Not just most conceded but also fewest scored.

We need a “stopper” and build from there, CJ isn’t one of those, though may shine for a better team. But plenty are.

To be fair, Parker had CJ in and around the squad from the start...he was on the bench, played at right-back if I seem to remember a few time before going into the centre after Worrall's injury.

Parker arrived last summer and when he was evaluating the squad, he must have seen that CJ not had a sniff in the first team for the past two years and had been palmed out on loan, but obviously soon discovered what a talent he was in training and was keen to get him in the team...He put him in the team ahead of Jon Egan, an experienced defender at Prem and Championship. Full marks to Parker and CJ more than repaid his faith

I think CJ is going to be a better player than Harwood Bellis

[brexit]

My issue with both CJER and Steve is that neither were a threat from attacking free kicks. In the PL we need to be far better at dead ball situations.

[manuelbenny]

Are there many teams that play with a Dan Burn equivalent up front?

This thread did inspire me to look at the "aerial duels" stats though.

Screenshot 2025-06-13 110258.png

But my favourite was Hountondji. 1 header won, 13 lost.

How many goals did we concede last season? that's the best stat

[boatshed bill]

My issue with both CJER and Steve is that neither were a threat from attacking free kicks. In the PL we need to be far better at dead ball situations.

Our set-pieces weren't great.

[dvalley69]

I don't understand the height factor being relevant: who plays long balls or plays aerially in the Prem? It's not really part of the game anymore. If he survived in the Championship then I'm sure he'd do that side of the job in the Prem. The real question is his positioning & pace at the top level.

[Goliath]

Isn't that why we have Worrall?

Yes but I mean someone who is capable of playing at Premier league level

[manuelbenny]

I don't understand the height factor being relevant: who plays long balls or plays aerially in the Prem? It's not really part of the game anymore. If he survived in the Championship then I'm sure he'd do that side of the job in the Prem. The real question is his positioning & pace at the top level.

You guys are just looking for things which aren't there.

Positioning and reading of the game is his biggest strength. I don't think he's a slouch in terms of pace.

End of the day, CJ is a class act, at 22 he's got a big future ahead. I am pretty sure Parker was desperate to keep hold of him

[LincsWoldsClaret]

Isn't that why we have Worrall?

Exactly - he’ll fill CJ’s position now and probably bring in another experienced Worrall type defender into the group

[NL Claret]

Isn't that why we have Worrall?

I dont know why you bother Bill. There’s a few on here who don’t warrant a response, I have a list!!

[northeastclaret]

IMO I think CJR. is probably thinking he isnt good enough for the Premier League yet, and to be exposed next season , would not be in his best long term interests.

I assume because it looks like no other premier league teams are willing to commit to start him next season , even though he is on a free, has probably contributed to him making this decision.

It’s a big shame he hasn’t decided to risk it with Burnley and particularly Scott Parker , who would have given him
the best chance possible to be a success.

But thanks for the brilliant season.

[Enola Gay]

IMO I think CJR. is probably thinking he isnt good enough for the Premier League yet, and to be exposed next season , would not be in his best long term interests.

I can’t for one minute believe anyone who’s played a key part in a record-breaking defensive effort in the Championship would bottle the Premier League.

Wherever he’s gone it’ll be because they’ve made him a better offer or he thinks they’re a better move for him than staying here, not a lack of confidence.

[NL Claret]

He is part of that group. Maybe a family member. Yes, believable to me.

Do you follow this chap on X?

Hes just appeared on my For you tweets. I’m not going to share what he has tweeted, I’ll just say it was about yesterday’s plane crash.

he’s blocked and muted.

[dvalley69]

You guys are just looking for things which aren't there.

Positioning and reading of the game is his biggest strength. I don't think he's a slouch in terms of pace.

End of the day, CJ is a class act, at 22 he's got a big future ahead. I am pretty sure Parker was desperate to keep hold of him

You totally missed my point. I was saying that I don't get why his height should even be an issue at a higher level (mentioned by several posters), as heading & the aerial battle isn't as important as it used to be especially in the Prem. What is tested is a defender's pace and positioning. I wasn't questioning those strengths in him, as we've all seen he's more than capable at Champ level. For me, the focus of the discussion should be about those qualities in the Prem, not his height or aerial ability. But we're not gonna find out anyway!

[boatshed bill]

You guys are just looking for things which aren't there.

They have probably decided that their first girlfriend (who dropped them) wasn't much anyhow, maybe knew she wasn't up to it.

[morninbob]

Confirmed.
https://x.com/OM_Officiel/status/193391 ... aBknQ&s=19

[fatboy47]

It'll be interesting to how he gets on.

Presume that agent mum's agenda will be to secure the biggest wedge possible, which seems to be the biggest priority these days and there won't be any relegation clauses to fear.

Opinions will always vary...Parker will have felt honour bound to start him in the Prem, so he's turned that down...so he's opted to twist and hope he gets to taste the big time in Europe .. life in Marseilles reserve team remains a possibility.

[randomclaret2]

Confirmed.
https://x.com/OM_Officiel/status/193391 ... aBknQ&s=19

Will we be due any compensation ?

[ClaretTony]

Cracking player and a massive surprise for us this last season.

Great move for him and sure it is the best for all concerned.

However, in the prem you need absolute monsters in defence and I would be pretty sure that the gaffer had an hand in sanctioning this move. OOC or not !

Parker will have learned what it needs from past mistakes I’m sure of this. Great player is CJ but, a monster he certainly is not.

Good luck to the lad - owes us nothing.

Nobody sanctioned his move. We offered him a big, long contract to stay.

[ClaretTony]

Will we be due any compensation ?

I think we might be but it will be minimal compared to what we’d have got had he gone to an English club.

[randomclaret2]

I think we might be but it will be minimal compared to what we’d have got had he gone to an English club.

Cheers Tony, I ask because I've seen it suggested City are due a cut of any " fee "

[ClaretTony]

Cheers Tony, I ask because I've seen it suggested City are due a cut of any " fee "

They are if we get anything but it won’t be worth having.

[Jakubclaret]

Disappointed as I would like to have kept the defence together.

However, now he has gone, I feel free to venture an opinion that we can do far better (though at a cost versus a free).

Towards the end of the season there were several games where panic set in and a teammate had to bale him out. The mental edge is the hardest thing to predict in a teenager. Now he is early 20s I suspect he will be a classy player but without the mental edge, physicality, height or raw speed to be a truly top rate Premier League player.

I wish CJ well, he owes us nothing, especially how he was treated 2 years ago, but, to be frank, he isn’t Esteve.

It's people like you I actually despise molly coddling footballers with the way they are treated & you help to create the environment the way it is. Diddums he would have been receiving sh1tloads of money. Nobody has been treated poorly people within the town are struggling to get by & are living hand to mouth.

[ksrclaret]

It's people like you I actually despise molly coddling footballers with the way they are treated & you help to create the environment the way it is. Diddums he would have been receiving sh1tloads of money. Nobody has been treated poorly people within the town are struggling to get by & are living hand to mouth.

Jakubot has malfunctioned again.

[Vegas Claret]

Cheers Tony, I ask because I've seen it suggested City are due a cut of any " fee "

we will be lucky if we even get 250k

[boatshed bill]

CrosspoolClarets wrote: ↑Wed Jun 11, 2025 9:24 pm
Disappointed as I would like to have kept the defence together.

However, now he has gone, I feel free to venture an opinion that we can do far better (though at a cost versus a free).

Towards the end of the season there were several games where panic set in and a teammate had to bale him out. The mental edge is the hardest thing to predict in a teenager. Now he is early 20s I suspect he will be a classy player but without the mental edge, physicality, height or raw speed to be a truly top rate Premier League player.

I suppose we are all entitle to our opinions,

[Claretfanatic1982]

Cheers Tony, I ask because I've seen it suggested City are due a cut of any " fee "

I think they are due a cut of any profit.
Will there be any profit with the paltry £200k that we are likely to receive?

How much compensation did we originally pay Man City?

[boatshed bill]

I think they are due a cut of any profit.
Will there be any profit with the paltry £200k that we are likely to receive?

Considering how little we paid for him coupled with his amazing contribution to our promotion I think we've done OK out of CJER

[Claretfanatic1982]

Considering how little we paid for him coupled with his amazing contribution to our promotion I think we've done OK out of CJER

Oh I agree, I just don't think City will be getting a sell on fee.