Burnley opinion: Should the Clarets sign Joakim Maehle?
According to a report in the Sun, Burnley are looking to sign Danish right-back Joakim Maehle from Genk.
The 22-year-old had a fantastic U-21 European Championship and is one of the best up and coming right-back prospects in the world. The report states that the price that they’re looking at is £7million and this would be an absolute bargain.
It’s a surprise that Maehle hasn’t been tracked by a bigger club (no disrespect to Burnley) as his ceiling is extremely high. The Dane is very comfortable going forward as well. He’s the perfect modern-day full-back and would immediately improve Burnley’s right flank.
Burnley often play with two big centre-forwards and Maehle could really benefit from this move as he can play to his strengths, which is to go to the by-line and cause havoc. It would help Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes as well.
Burnley will be hoping that they can soon find a replacement for Matthew Lowton, as the Englishman isn’t getting any younger at 30. Lowton should still be in the plans of Sean Dyche but Maehle would be a massive improvement.
Burnley have done fantastically well in their last three seasons since promotion. In the 2017/18 season, they made it as high as the 7th place and they’ll be aware that they can still keep those sort of performances up next season.
Burnley are unfairly judged as a defensive side. They are extremely good at winning aerial duels, which is why they force sides wide and are also very good at pressing, usually using it at the half-way line like Atletico Madrid. They often use their tall forwards in helping themselves press when the second-ball drops.
This is a tactic used by many of the most innovative sides in Europe like Eintracht Frankfurt, Atletico Madrid and Hoffenheim. Maehle would easily take on the instructions of pressing hard and putting balls into the box. He could easily be one of the best signings for the Clarets this summer.
Read more Burnley news, click here – Burnley latest news
Conclusion
Sean Dyche and his men will be aware that survival is always the priority for the side from Turf Moor but there’s no shame in trying to achieve more as they did two seasons ago.
He would be an immediate improvement and if other big clubs calling in a few years, they can sell him for an inflated price.