Paul Merson has warned Rafa Benitez that Burnley will look to follow Chelsea’s example when the Clarets host Everton at Turf Moor on Boxing Day, via his Sportskeeda column.
The Toffees rallied to salvage a point at Stamford Bridge last Thursday as Benitez dealt with mounting issues at Goodison Park. A toxic blend of injuries, illness and covid cases saw the Blues make five changes at Stamford Bridge, including handing Ellis Simms his senior bow.
Everton continue to juggle their crisis ahead of facing Burnley, with Benitez admitting they even requested the match be postponed. The Spaniard revealed, via the Toffees’ website, that he only has nine recognised senior players available, outside of goalkeepers.
Benitez will have to make use of Everton’s young players once again when they travel to Burnley on Sunday. But their lack of experience could add yet another issue at Turf Moor.
Merson sends Benitez warning ahead of Everton’s Turf Moor trip
Merson warns Benitez that Burnley will look to follow Chelsea’s lead to try and take a result against Everton. Thomas Tuchel’s side were dominant last week, but the Toffees punished the Blues’ wastefulness by valiantly battling through.
Additionally, Merson notes the Goodison natives will have to keep check of Maxwel Cornet if he plays. Sean Dyche’s £13m summer signing sustained a thigh injury on December 4, but the winger has returned to full training and has an outside shot of featuring on Boxing Day.
“Burnley need to start winning Premier League matches,” Merson wrote. “For the first time, I’m starting to get a bit worried about them. They’re quite reliant on Cornet. If he gets fit, they’ll stay up. If he doesn’t , this is the year they’ll go down.
“This is a massive game, especially for Everton. They’re struggling in the Premier League. If Chelsea had put their chances away the other day, they could’ve been blown away. Burnley will likely bombard them in a similar fashion and could potentially nick a victory here.”
Cornet to capitalise on Benitez’s woes for Burnley bounce?
Dyche will be hoping Cornet proves his fitness to face Everton and Benitez to potentially help Burnley enjoy a bounce. The Clarets have only won one Premier League game all season and not since beating Brentford on October 30.
Cornet scored his fourth of five goals for the season against the Bees, before hitting their equaliser against Crystal Palace. Only Chris Wood (3) and centre-back Ben Mee (2) have also scored multiple top-flight goals for the Clarets this term.
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