Why Burnley must go all out to sign Adrien Thomasson from Strasbourg?
Burnley have failed to live up to the expectations this season after pulling a rabbit out of the hat last term. The Clarets qualified for the Europa League group stages but couldn’t get past it as they lost 4-2 on aggregate to Greek giants Olympiacos before the start of this season.
Sean Dyche’s side also endured a slow start that saw them in the relegation zone for quite some time. But the recent revival in form has seen the Clarets climb up to 15th in the table, although they remain just five points above from the drop zone.
What Burnley have lacked this season is a creative midfielder, someone who link-up play, dictate the tempo of the game and contribute with goals. Despite having the likes of Chris Wood, Ashley Barnes, Matej Vydra and Peter Crouch, Dyche needs to identify a player that can be trusted to break the lines and create plenty of opportunities from midfield.
Keeping the player’s profile in mind, Burnley should target a summer swoop for Strasbourg star Adrien Thomasson.
Adrien Thomasson, 25, joined Strasbourg from FC Nantes last summer and has been fantastic in his debut season at Stade de la Meinau. Five goals and six assists thus far tells one the impact he has had in Strasbourg colours. Given his playing style and attributes, Thomasson could thrive under Dyche at Burnley.
The Frenchman is an attacking midfielder by trade but has played in various positions across the midfield and the attack in Ligue 1 for Strasbourg. He is dangerous in the final third due to his creativity, dribbling skills and link-up play. The 25-year-old tends to drop deep to pick up the ball before drifting wide to cut inside with his pace and trickery and using his awareness to make runs behind the backline.
Furthermore, Thomasson is a cool and composed finisher in front of goal, always possessing an inert understanding of where the goal is, irrespective of how much pressure he’s under. His movement and game awareness are usually perfect, making him a threat anywhere in the opposition half.
With his creativity, flair and composure on the ball, Thomasson will add a cutting edge to the Burnley attack that has been lacking all this season. Jack Cork has been a regular fixture in the engine room this campaign, with Ashley Westwood and Jeff Hedrick rotating for the no.8 role. With two strong midfielders behind him, Thomasson could be able to add spark and invention to the one-dimensional attack.
Hence, Dyche should make a move for the Strasbourg star in the summer to challenge for a top-10 spot next season.
