Burnley manager Sean Dyche has confirmed he will “monitor” Jon Flanagan‘s situation on loan with the Clarets during the transfer window.
Flanagan made the move to Turf Moor in August, after signing a new long-term contract with Liverpool months earlier.
However, his spell with Burnley has not gone to plan so far, having made just six appearances for his loan side, with just three starts in the Premier League.
Facing competition from the likes of Stephen Ward and Matthew Lowton, Flanagan has been unable to pick up the rhythm required after 20 months out injured from the end of 2013/14.
As a result, Dyche has suggested he could move to cancel the No. 4’s loan deal, as well as that of Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford, this month.
“We’re always monitoring our situations. Not just for Patrick but all of the players,” he said.
“Football’s changed, it’s not just on the pitch now, there’s lots of different management things you need to look at and monitoring their contractual situation.
“Whether it’s a loan player, a player under contract or your contract needs extending, there’s a lot more that goes on than just people think.
“We’ll monitor [Flanagan’s] situation and him with us, there’s always their angle as well, it’s not just mine.”
Dyche’s desire to assess both sides is a sensible one in Flanagan’s case, as terminating his loan deal could well suit all parties.
For Flanagan, the lack of game time is seeing an already slow-moving career stagnate, and the 24-year-old has not played regular football of any kind in two-and-a-half seasons.
This has stunted his development, prompting a frustrating drop down the ranks under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Burnley, too, would likely benefit from freeing up a valuable slot in Dyche’s squad, with Premier League clubs only able to loan two domestic-based players at any one time.
With the Clarets battling the drop this season, the January transfer window may prove pivotal for Dyche, and bringing in further quality in the loan market could help him stave off relegation.
If this is the case, and Flanagan returns to Liverpool, it is unlikely he will join Klopp’s first-team squad, with Trent Alexander-Arnold emerging as cover at right-back.
James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno are the German’s other full-back options, and given the consistency with which he has selected the former pair, a new addition is unnecessary.
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