Stephen Ward remains Burnley’s first-choice left-back despite the long-awaited signing of Charlie Taylor from Leeds United.
Leeds United fans warned Charlie Taylor that the grass is not always greener when the homegrown left-back rejected a new contract in favour of an acrimonious departure to Burnley this summer.
The talented 23-year-old, who was given his chance in professional football by Leeds, showed the team that made him one of the Championship’s most exciting talents little respect when he refused to play in the final game of last season against Wigan Athletic before leaving under a cloud.
And though the claims of some supporters that Taylor’s progress would stall at one of the Premier League’s more modest clubs could have been seen as sour grapes, it seems they may have had a point.
Grass isn’t always greener
The 23-year-old has not played a single minute of top flight football so far this season with the in-form Stephen Ward starting each of Burnley’s four league fixtures so far. His only action came in an EFL Cup win at Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers, and he may have to bide his time to break into the starting eleven.
With Republic of Ireland international Ward impressing, netting a stunning goal in the opening day victory against Chelsea and standing out in the 1-0 triumph over Crystal Palace on Sunday, there is no reason for Clarets boss Sean Dyche to shuffle his pack.
All the while, Leeds are sitting pretty in second place after a superb start to the season under new manager Thomas Christiansen. And their free-flowing attacking football could have got the best out of a left-back renowned for his excellent technical ability and pinpoint deliveries from out wide.
Burnley were forced to pay a £5 million compensation fee for Taylor despite the York-born full-back being out of contract, per The Mail. So far, however, it seems Leeds have got the better of the deal.
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