Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News
#PLStories- Wout Weghorst delivers bold Manchester United quadruple target before Barcelona showdown #MUFC
Wout Weghorst admits Manchester United are still gunning to win the quadruple this…
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News
#PLStories- Burnley and Holland striker Wout Weghorst recalls special time on loan at Turf Moore #BURNLEYFC
Wout Weghorst says his time at Turf Moor has been “special” and hasn’t ruled out playing for Burnley again.
The forward joined the Clarets from Wolfsburg for a reported £12million fee back in January, scoring two goals in 20 appearances as the club was relegated from the Premier League.
The 29-year-old has now joined Turkish outfit Besiktas on a season-long loan as he aims to make the Holland squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
“I had my thoughts already before I moved to Burnley half a year ago. Of course, we spoke about it,” Weghorst told the club’s Twitter page.
“The World Cup is coming up now and that is really important for me, I think it is my biggest dream. It is the biggest (thing) you can achieve as a professional football player.
“We have got a trainer (Louis van Gaal) who has clear thoughts about it and playing at the highest level. He is really strict about it so if I want to be there, I had to make the decision.”
Despite suffering relegation, Weghorst says he made memories at Turf Moor that “will always have a place in my heart”.
The Dutch international refused to rule out the possibility of playing for the Clarets again after his loan spell.
He added: “The Burnley fans at Turf Moor, they actually made my dream in England, my Premier League dream. The club and especially the fans, they made it that special.
“The songs they sung for me and the moments we shared, it is something which I will always keep in my mind and will always have a place in my heart.
“Don’t get me wrong, it is absolutely not that I am feeling too good for the Championship or that I don’t want to play in the Championship with Burnley.
“From my side, there are some reasons for it and I spoke with the club before I came. We had our discussions about it, our vision and thoughts.
“There could be a return from my side and we could have more positive and successful moments together. I am looking forward to that moment.”
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News
#PLStories- Sean Dyche is happy with Wout Weghorst despite no goals #BURNLEYFC
SEAN Dyche believes all Wout Weghorst is missing is a goal given the immediate impact the Dutch striker has made since joining Burnley in January.
In his first three games for the Clarets Weghorst has had more shots and created more chances than any of his team-mates, earning plaudits for his skilful assist when setting up Jay Rodriguez’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
Now fans are waiting for a player who scored 59 goals in 118 Bundesliga appearances for Wolfsburg to break his duck and help Burnley move off the bottom of the Premier League table.
“We brought him in because we felt he could operate within the side and add to what the side has done, and apart from scoring he has added to that,” Dyche said.
“We look at all the stats but sometimes it’s just on the visual performances of the player, and visually he’s been very good.
“Add in the stats and you think that’s a player who is very motivated to come in and make a difference. He probably needs a goal to continue all the good work he’s doing.”
Weghorst limped off with 15 minutes of Sunday’s 1-0 home defeat to Liverpool remaining after taking a blow to the hip, but was in light training on Thursday and Dyche expects him to be fit to make the trip to Brighton on Saturday.
And Dyche believes the £12 million signing just needs to keep doing what he is doing to get on the scoresheet.
“I never question my players’ final moment of truth, I only question it if they’re not getting in the right areas,” Dyche said.
“He’s definitely getting in the right areas. He’s effective with assists, he’s creating his own chances, and he’s getting into places that can help the team. We want that to continue and I’m absolutely sure if it does he will get goals.”
Burnley’s trip to Brighton will bring together two draw specialists – Graham Potter’s side have taken a share of the points 12 times this season, the most of any side in the Premier League, with Burnley just behind on 11 having played three games fewer.
But Potter’s side have seven wins to Burnley’s one, the difference between Brighton sitting in the top half and the Clarets languishing at the bottom, seven points adrift of safety.
Dyche’s side remain a tough nut to crack, as demonstrated in recent draws with Arsenal and Manchester United, and in the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in which they repeatedly threatened to score first.
The challenge for Dyche and his players is to find the tweaks that can turn draws into wins without losing the defensive discipline which has earned them the points they do have.
“Sometimes when people are clamouring for change, sometimes you have to see through it and change nothing,” Dyche said.
“We’re so close to getting things right but we haven’t got things right so you’re always wondering how far you tinker with it or keep it as it is.
“The last four games we’ve got three points from four, but if you watch them you think we’ve been hard done by. It’s one of the biggest challenges – when do you start tinkering? Sometimes you have to stick with it and it will pay you back.
“That’s the debate with my staff. What shall we change and for what reason? Or do we stick with what we believe in?”
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News
#PLStories- Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits watching and admiring Burnley against Manchester United #LFC #MUFC #BurnleyFC
LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp has singled out Wout Weghorst for praise ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with the Clarets.
The Dutch international impressed in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Tuesday night, setting up Jay Rodriguez’s equaliser.
Klopp says Burnley produced a “proper team performance” against the Red Devils and is expecting a tough test at Turf Moor this weekend.
"I had the pleasure to watch Burnley against United. This situation explains the Premier League the best,” said the Liverpool chief.
“The quality they produced was incredible. It was a proper team performance. There is a big possibility for them to still stay in the league.
"They brought in a new striker. If you saw the game, you would have seen he is a lively boy," said Klopp.
"He was very active all over the pitch. Burnley ask for all physicality you can put in a game, we cannot have the ball all the time and they are good when they have the ball.
"They have footballers everywhere. On top of that, the set-piece threat, we have to be aware and concentrated."
The Reds ran out 2-0 winners when the sides met at Anfield earlier this season thanks to goals from Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane.
Klopp’s men sit second in the Premier League table – nine points behind leaders Manchester City, who have played an extra game.
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Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News
#PLStories- Erik Pieters on new striker Wout Weghorst and Burnley’s struggles at home #BURNLEYFC
BURNLEY left-back Erik Pieters admits he is at a loss to explain the Clarets’ dismal home record that is hampering their efforts to pull clear of relegation trouble.
Saturday’s critical clash against fellow strugglers Watford ended in a goalless draw, meaning Sean Dyche’s side have won just one of their last 18 league matches at Turf Moor – the 3-1 victory over Brentford in October which is their only league win home or away this season.
“Someone told me (the stat) a while ago but I am surprised we are struggling to get wins at home,” said the Dutchman. “It’s weird. We are a strong side, especially at home. When they told me I thought, ‘Nah, it can’t be true’, but of course you go back and look and it’s not good.
“We definitely need to work on that. But it’s the Premier League and every single game is different. At this point I don’t care how many points we get at home or away. The main thing is that we get the points.”
Manchester United will be the next visitors on Tuesday night, the first in a daunting run of home fixtures with Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea to follow.
Given the challenges to come, Burnley’s inability to beat a Watford side who had themselves taken only one point from the previous 24 on offer was seen as a major setback in their bid to avoid the drop.
Though they are still only three points from safety with games in hand, Norwich’s uptick in form and Newcastle’s major January investment have put the pressure on, while Burnley’s wait for another victory goes on.
“It’s difficult but we know we have a really experienced group, a group that’s really together,” Pieters added. “Everyone wants to work together. I don’t see any problem in us facing that battle.
“But you have to show it on the pitch in the end. Every game in the Premier League is difficult but we have confidence and trust in each other, and I have trust in myself that we can get out of it.”
There were some positives to take from Saturday’s wet and windy affair – another clean sheet, one more point if not three, and an encouraging debut from deadline day signing Wout Weghorst, who linked up well with Maxwel Cornet as the latter returned from Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Pieters said he had not known fellow Dutchman Weghorst before last month, but the 6ft 6in striker had got his number from mutual friend Tim Krul and had sought his advice on making the move to Turf Moor.
“He’s a really down to earth guy, a nice guy, relaxed,” Pieters said. “He’s easy to talk to and to get along with. I think that’s really a key factor for us as a team. Hopefully everything will connect together.
“He’s got good speed and I think you can see he’s a real goal-getter. I think he was a bit unlucky (on Saturday) but you can see what he has in front of goal.
“One moment he just controlled it inside the box and the shot was blocked, but you can see the quality of every touch.
“It’s nice to have him in the team and hopefully he will score for us really soon.”
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News
#PLStories- Burnley captain Ben Mee backs Wout Weghorst to make impact in Premier League #BURNLEYFC
BURNLEY captain Ben Mee has backed new signing Wout Weghorst to prove a handful for Premier League defences as the Clarets battle against the drop.
Sean Dyche’s side can move off the foot of the table as they host fellow strugglers Watford in the weekend’s only top-flight fixture.
Weghorst is expected to be included in the Burnley squad after joining from Wolfsburg for a reported £12 million during a January transfer window which saw Chris Wood join relegation rivals Newcastle.
The Holland international has big boots to fill in leading the line at Turf Moor but Mee, who has now spent time training alongside the 29-year-old, believes he can make his mark.
“He looks a handful,” he said. “He is a good quality player who comes with a lot of experience as well, hopefully we can bed him in early and he hits the ground running.
“There is more to his game than just his 6ft 6in frame and hopefully we can utilise that as well as getting the ball into the box to him.”
Burnley saw a host of fixtures postponed during January due to coronavirus and injuries ruling out a number of players.
Watford head north two points clear of their hosts having played two more games.
While Mee admits he would rather have points on the board, he feels Burnley can deal with the challenge of facing a side with a new boss since the appointment of Roy Hodgson at Vicarage Road.
“It is better having the points but the position we are in now, it is nice to have those games in hand because we know we can catch up,” said Mee, who toasted a decade as a permanent Burnley player last month.
“Obviously we would rather have points on the board and we need to put them up there with these games in hand.
“We know we have got quite a lot to catch up on but we have got something to aim for and hopefully we can use those games in hand wisely.
“There is always potential of a new manager bounce; it is a massive game for us and hopefully the fans can get behind us and we can make it a really good occasion.”
A goalless draw at Arsenal last time out has instilled more belief in the Burnley survival bid – but they have had to wait nearly two weeks to build on that point.
“It has been frustrating,” added Mee. “We’ve been stop, start. Ready to go for games and then a couple of hours before you’re getting told it is being postponed which is really frustrating.
“A few of the games we felt we were in a good position to go and play the game with the squad feeling good and had every chance to go and get some points.
“The Arsenal game felt really good, we defended really well and as a group, as a unit we played well and got a really good point.
“It was frustrating to have another week with no games but we have some coming up now and need to make them count.”
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News
#PLStories- Burnley boss Sean Dyche on Watford clash and deadline day signing Wout Weghorst #BURNLEYFC
WOUT Weghorst could make his Premier League debut on Saturday against Watford, says Burnley boss Sean Dyche.
The Clarets will bid to climb off the foot of the table in this weekend’s only top-flight fixture and Weghorst is expected to be included in their squad after joining from Wolfsburg for a reported £12 million.
Dyche said: “He’s got a good chance of featuring, he’s fit and well. We’ve tested him and he’s enjoyed the challenge straight away.
“You look at the quality and experience of the player and a player like Wout has played enough football to know what the game is about.”
The 6ft 6in striker, capped 12 times by Holland, scored 59 goals in 118 Bundesliga appearances for Wolfsburg after signing from Alkmaar in 2018.
Weghorst has been signed as a replacement for Chris Wood, who departed Turf Moor earlier last month after Newcastle triggered a £25m release clause.
Dyche said: “If he (Weghorst) had that goal-scoring record in the Premier League do you think we would have got him for the money we got him for? I doubt it.
“His goals record suggests he can score, he’s technically a good player as well as having that physical prowess because of his sheer size.”
Burnley face a tough task to extend their stay in the top flight to a seventh successive season under Dyche.
Their solitary league win in this campaign was against Brentford in October, but they lifted morale by holding Arsenal to a goalless draw last time out.
Victory against Dyche’s former club and second-from-bottom Watford on Saturday would lift the Clarets to within a point of safety, with three games in hand on 17th-placed Norwich.
Dyche added: “We’re well aware of the schedule and the games where you think, statistically, you have a better chance of winning.
“But like I say all the time it’s a season’s work, so I focus on the next game being the most important.
“It doesn’t make or break the season, of course it would be a favourable result to win the game, that’s quite obvious.
“Whatever happens we have to move forwards and keep the mentality we showed at Arsenal, getting back to basics, that was a good performance against a good side.”
Former England boss Roy Hodgson will take charge of Watford for the first time after replacing the sacked Claudio Ranieri.
Dyche added: “Roy’s a fella I respect. I’ve always had a lot of time for him and (assistant) Ray Lewington down the years and he’ll bring what he does to their squad.
“He might change it, but I doubt it given his years’ service. He’ll try and bring a shape to the side, we’ll wait and see.”
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News
#PLStories- Striker Wout Weghorst’s first words after joining Burnley from Wolfsburg #BURNLEYFC
DUTCH international Wout Weghorst believes he is a perfect fit for Burnley after joining from Wolfsburg.
The 29-year-old – who stands at 6ft 6in – arrives at Turf Moor after scoring 59 goals in 188 games in Germany.
Weghorst is looking forward to playing in the Premier League and
“I am delighted to be here,” he told the club’s website. “The feeling I got about the club, I had some really positive talks with the chairman and other people involved with the football club.
“I felt a lot of love and appreciation. I got a really warm feeling and that was something which made me want to sign.
“I looked at the club, the history and to see if it fits me and I got a feeling it would perfectly fit.”
Weghorst – who has been capped 12 times for the Netherlands – is excited to play in the Premier League.
The forward feels his time in the Bundesliga has prepared him well for the next stage of his career.
“The physical intensity will be high. This was the case in Germany too, but the Premier League is the next step and the next level,” he added.
“In my opinion it is the toughest competition in the world so it will be a nice challenge again. I am going to give it everything.”
Burnley sit at the foot of the Premier League table but have several games in hand on the sides around them.
And Weghorst is keen to make an impact in the coming weeks and months as the Clarets bid to maintain their top-flight status.
He said: “I did my research and I know our history and we played in the Europa League not so long ago.
“I want to be a part of this club and not only as a footballer, but a human being. I can compare myself to Burnley in the way of thinking, our mindsets and the ambitions we have.
“We have many more matches left and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead and play a part in the next stage of the club’s history.”