Burnley should be tracking Shane Long this summer – as the forward looks to impress Mauricio Pellegrino after a disappointing season with Southampton last year.
While the exit of Jay Rodriguez to West Bromwich Albion freed up some space in Southampton’s forward line, Shane Long may well find it difficult to catch his new manager’s attention at Saints with Manolo Gabbiadini and Charlie Austin also vying for starting spots.
With Mauricio Pellegrini casting his eye over the squad, Long, 30, wants to give it his best shot. “I want to show the manager what I have got and leave an impression on him come the start of the season,” Long told the Daily Mail.
An exit still possible
However, with so many strikers moving this summer, Long could follow Rodriguez out the back door.
The Southampton striker admits that things have not gone well at St Marys for him: “Last season was a bit disappointing,” Long told the Daily Mail. “I didn’t play as much as I would have liked to and felt I didn’t get the chances that I deserved at times, so I want to hit the ground running this year.”
Republic of Ireland’s Shane Long
A suitable club for him could emerge, and Sean Dyche and Burnley would be wise to consider the former West From man, whether they have to replace Andre Gray or not.
Irish connection
Burnley are already on the cusp of freshening up their forward line by capturing Jon Walters from Stoke City, as reported by BBC Sport, and they could have to move again in the transfer market, as André Gray’s signature is being chased by West Ham United, Newcastle United and Everton, according to the Sun.
Like Walters, Shane Long is a Republic of Irish international, and there would be a good understanding between the two players and knowledge of each others game.
Complimentary addition
Long would also offer Dyche something different. He has good pace and smart finishing in and around the box. He is not such a powerful payer as Gray, but Burnley have plenty of aggression and strength with Sam Vokes and Ashley Barnes. Long would compliment the strikers at Turf Moor.
Shane Long scores for Southampton
What may concern Dyche is the amount of games Shane Long has been starting. Long made 22 substitute appearances from his 32 games played last season, scoring three goals and making one assist. That compares with five substitutions from 28 appearances in 2015-16, when Long scored 10 goals.
Whatever club he’s at, if he wants to make an impression he needs to return to the form he exhibited before his recent disappointing campaign.
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