Burnley came back from a season in the Championship, cruising through as Vincent Kompany looked the best appointment done to bring The Clarets to a safe and sound position back in Premier League.
Things have turned out so different, but still there are individuals around with a grand experience of top level football, one of them is 34 year old midfielder Jack Cork.
Cork, one of the special England one cap wonders, made 39 league appearance for Burnley last season, being one of the most important players in the group. He is still the captain, but so far this season only been appeared 2 times. He last appeared from the subs bench in the 1-1 draw with Luton on the 21st of January, strangely not being rated at the same level as before.
Why Vincent Kompany has decided to drop his captain out, becomes the major riddle as the team has suffered heavily this season. Of course new signings and the age of Cork must be taken into consideration, also a reason for it could be that his contract is running out in the summer.
Vincent Kompany has named in 14 times on the bench in Premier League, as well giving Cork the trust in the Carabao Cup vs. Salford, playing in the back line, as the Burnley side won 4-0. He also appeared in the next round, coming on as a late sub vs. Everton in the 0-3 battering at Goodison Park.
To see Burnley in such struggles came as a major surprise, and it looks as if Vincent Kompany has misjudged his decision making, not playing Jack Cork as much as he did last season, giving his captain and odd job, with little or no influence on results.
He has this season been sidelined with minor injuries at certain periods, but still more of a fringe alternative than what we would have thought as his influence last season was huge. He was on the bench for the 5-0 home defeat to Arsenal, but he never left the bench
Burnley are currently second to bottom with only 13 points, drifting towards a certain relegation as Jack Cork looks to leave the club in the summer. The former Chelsea, Southampton and Swansea midfielder joined The Clarets in 2017, and has in total added up 182 league games, most of them at Premier League level and strange to see Vincent Kompany overlookng his captain at such a crucial time for the club and also his own future.
SOCCERVOICE UPDATE
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