Five regular first-team Burnley players will be out of contract at the end of this month and the Clarets are yet to offer extensions as Premier League nears a return. Sean Dyche is worried about losing some trusted players of his squad.
Burnley have been reluctant in offering extensions to five first-team players this summer who have been an important component under Sean Dyche this season so far. The players who are out of contract on June 30, include regulars like Phil Bardsley and Jeff Hendrick.
Although the players have been training with the squad. Burnley have offered the players a one-month extension that will end their contracts on July 30 and allow them to completes the remainder of the season. Additionally, Joe Hart, Aaron Lennon and Adam Legdzins are also out of contract this month.
With many important players out of contracts, who should be offered extensions and who should be released?
Jeff Hendrick – Keep
Hendrick has been an important part of Dyche’s squad since the manager’s Derby days. He has been crucial for the Clarets in the middle of the park. He has played in the right and central midfielder for Burnley. This season he has appeared 24 times and has scored two while assisting two. He had an option to extend his contract for one year which was used last season. But this season he is yet to sign the one-month extension. There are rumours of him joining AC Milan. The Clarets have to be quick.
Aaron Lennon – Release
The 33-year-old midfielder used his one year option in his contract last season. this season he has featured 16 times in the Premier League for Burnley but has started in just four games and rest 12 are substitute appearances (486 min). For the right-midfield spot, he is behind Gudmundsson and Hendrick in the pecking order. Lennon is way past his prime and it will be better for the Clarets to let him go for free.
Joe Hart – Keep
Back up goalkeeper, Joe Hart has started just three games this season so far for the Clarets with no Premier League appearance in the past 500 days. His three appearances include a Carabao Cup loss against Sunderland and two FA Cup games, against Peterborough and Norwich. He has been on the bench for the Clarets for the whole season and will be looking towards a move away in order for more game time. However, Hart is still a good deputy for Nick Pope and in case of an injury, Hart can be useful.
Phil Bardsley – Keep
Manchester United academy graduate Bardsley is a regular starter under Dyche this season. Despite being 35-year-old, Dyche wants the club to tie him down for another year. The full-back has been offered a one-month extension but he hasn’t put his signature to it. He has started 14 times for the Clarets on the right flank. He has earned the trust of the manager and it was expected that he will be offered an extension. Burnley needs to tie him down for another season.
Adam Legzdins – Release
Legzdins is down in the pecking order and has been playing for the club’s U23s. In the past three seasons, he is yet to make an appearance in the Premier League. He is the club’s fourth-choice goalkeeper and with Hart, Pope and Peacock-Farell. The Clarets should part ways with the Latvian this summer.
