Derby County v Rotherham United - Sky Bet Championship - Pride Park Derby County s Jason Knight during the Sky Bet Championship match at Pride Park, Derby. EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xNigelxFrenchx 57564589
According to Burnley Express, Burnley have been linked with a move for Jason Knight throughout this January transfer window. With Derby County facing financial issues, the Clarets are ready to make a move for the midfielder. Leeds United have also registered an interest in Knight.
Signed from Irish club Cabinteely in 2017, Knight’s stocks have been on the rise ever since his first-team breakthrough under former manager Phillip Cocu last season.
The highly-rated 19-year-old Republic of Ireland international finished the 2019-20 campaign with 6 goals in 31 appearances in the Championship, earning rave reviews as one of the breakout stars in the second-tier.
Knight has continued to go from strength to strength this season, despite Derby County currently battling relegation in the Championship. The teenager has scored twice in 25 league outings for the Rams so far this season.
The Ireland international is primarily an all-action box-to-box midfielder by trade but has proven himself more than capable of switching between attacking and defensive roles. Knight has also been utilised out wide on either side of the pitch.
Knight has been a real livewire in Derby’s midfield over the past 12 months and already boasts over 50 appearances in the Championship under his belt. That’s really impressive considering that he’s still only 19.
The midfielder has also established himself as a regular starter for the Rams week in week out, which speaks volumes about his development.
Burnley roped in Dale Stephens from Brighton to bolster their midfield following the departure of Jeff Hendrick. However, the 31-year-old hasn’t quite made a big impact at Turf Moor, starting only thrice in the Premier League so far this season.
The Clarets currently have four specialist central midfielders in the form of Ashley Westwood, Jack Cork, Josh Brownhill and Stephens competing for places. Cork, though, hasn’t been in the mix at all this season. The veteran suffered an injury towards the back end of the previous campaign and is yet to feature in the league this term.
With Stephens also offering very little, Cork’s unavailability for long parts has forced Sean Dyche to field the likes of Westwood and Brownhill without much rest. Youngster Josh Benson has stepped up occasionally but it has been evident that he’s not quite the finished article capable of playing regularly at this level just yet.
Morevoer, with Stephens, Cork and Westwood all past 30, Burnley should have one eye on the future too. Putting things into context, Jason Knight would be more than worth a punt for the Clarets.
A potential deal for the 19-year-old would offer Dyche some much-needed depth and variety heading into a hectic second half of the season.