Burnley Opinion: Why the Clarets should re-sign Jay Rodriguez this summer
According to a report from Calciomercato, West Brom have rejected a £12million bid for Jay Rodriguez from Burnley. The striker was heavily linked with a move back to Burnley in the winter transfer window but West Brom managed to keep hold of one of their prized assets.
Jay Rodriguez, 29, stayed loyal to West Brom following relegation from the Premier League last summer. He has enjoyed a solid season in the Championship, scoring 20 goals and adding five assists whilst forming a potent strike partnership with on-loan Newcastle United star Dwight Gayle.
That is probably the reason why Burnley are interested in re-signing the 29-year-old and made enquiries ahead of the summer transfer window. The Clarets should not hesitate in tabling a bigger offer for the forward when the transfer window re-opens in a couple of months’ time.
Expectations were high from Burnley at the start of this season after how well they performed in the 2017/18 campaign. But things haven’t gone according to the scripts for Sean Dyche and company as the Clarets look like a team in trouble at the moment. They are 14th in the table but just six points above the final relegation place with five games left in the campaign.
One of Burnley’s biggest problems this season has been scoring goals. Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood have shared the responsibility of scoring goals but when the duo have had an off day, Dyche’s men have found it very difficult to find the back of the net.
The summer transfer window will give a chance for Dyche to strengthen his options up front and one man who should be on their shortlist is Jay Rodriguez. What makes Rodriguez a great option for the Clarets is not because he’s a consistent goal-scorer but due to his tenacity, work-rate and prior experience.
In fact, the 29-year-old started his career with hometown club Burnley in 2007 and spent five years at the club before joining Southampton in 2012. That should not see him take much time to adapt to the demands of the Premier League as well as connect with the fans. The one-cap England international versatility of playing anywhere across the front-line could also come handy for Dyche.
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Rodriguez will also add a bit of pace and movement up front, whilst complementing either Barnes or Wood. Moreover, the 29-year-old’s composure on the ball is a key trait and that combined with exceptional movement in and around the box makes him a tricky customer to mark.
Conclusion
Adding someone like Rodriguez won’t completely solve Burnley’s goalscoring problems, but it will go a long way in helping the club move forward next season. While the Clarets will need other additions to patch up their team, Dyche has to make a move for Rodriguez.
