Charlie Austin is the man in question and after a magnificent goalscoring start to this campaign could the Burnley striker be a target for Norwich, Everton, his former team Reading or any number of Premier League clubs come January?
Despite the Sky Sports videprinter having its own little tantrum infused breakdown during Jeff Stelling and co’s presentation of all the day’s action this weekend there was one element of guesswork that would always be a shoe-in for positive confirmation.
That Charlie Austin would score for Burnley is of course the estimation in question, as the 23-year-old hitting the back of the net is becoming such a regular-as-clockwork occurrence for The Claret’s.
So far this campaign the striker has netted 11 goals, considering we have only just entered the darkening realms of leaf-littered October that tally is quite impressive. A hat-trick against Peterborough started off his most recent streak, as he has claimed seven strikes in just his last four appearances.
So with January coming up on us like a rabbit in the headlights Eddie Howe must empathise with the bunny in this turn of phrase as the mood already turns to a potential departure in January.
It has been a great campaign for Austin, and considering he is only a sextet away from his tally of 17 from last season the Hungerford lad has many a reason to be cheerful.
If he was to move to the Premier League in January it would be the culmination of a truly magnificent career to date, that started with the bitter resentment of that all so common tale of physical-stature related release that is pandemic within English football and now sees him heading the scoring charts for the entire country.
His career started with Reading, the nearest club to his Berkshire market-town home of Hungerford, before being released for being too small, ironic considering a growth spurt has now seen him reach a highly respectable 6ft 2inches; a fair amount taller than current Biscuitmen incumbent Adam Le Fondre.
What followed was a series of goal-laden stints at teams such as AFC Newbury, Thatcham Town, Kintbury Rangers. After a less successful period with Hungerford Town, he moved to Bournemouth with his family leading to a conjoined career of bricklaying and semi-professional football with Poole Town that many a scriptwriter would conjure and many an everyday fresh faced wannabee; damaged by the rejection of professional football’s turned back and cold shoulder lives up and down the country.
But Charlie carried on doing what he does best, scoring goals. Swindon came calling and he seems to have recognised the formula for success; Charlie Austin + goals = success. Quite simple really.
Many a team in the Premier League could do with his goalscoring attributes, natural pace and poaching ability that make him a considerable thorn in the side for any defender prone to switch off, even momentarily. Norwich need goals and have delved into the lower leagues previously, David Moyes loves a great spot from below the Premiership while Reading could bring Austin back for another crack at his first club.
With Burnley not looking like genuine promotion candidates a move in January could be perfect for Austin, as any club struggling at the foot of the table staring into the Football League trapdoor would roll the dice on his goalscoring ability with fervent enthusiasm.
Burnley left-back Kieran Trippier has recently admitted that he placed a bet on Austin scoring 17 goals for the Turf Moor side this season; and the former Manchester City trainee could be right, but he might want to hope he scores them before January.
Would you want Charlie Austin at your Premier League club?
image: © crystian cruz
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