Wout Weghorst has returned to Burnley, following loan stints with Besiktas and Manchester United.
Vincent Kompany introduced the returning Wout Weghorst from the bench in Burnley’s recent pre-season friendly defeat against Genk. A section of the Burnley fans present could be heard booing as the Dutch striker took to the pitch.
Weghorst hasn’t played a competitive match for Burnley since the club were relegated from the Premier League on the final day of the 2021/22 campaign. The 30-year-old had only arrived at Turf Moor in the January of that season, but was unable to help the Clarets avoid the drop. He may well be in line to feature for Kompany this time around, though, as the club have returned to the top flight.
Kompany’s options for Wout Weghorst
Kompany needs to find a solution to Weghorst’s apparent rift with the fanbase. If the 23-cap Netherlands international is to be reintegrated, then the Belgian coach will hope that the forward can win over the Turf Moor faithful with his efforts of the pitch sooner rather than later.
However, if Kompany is ready to let Weghorst go, then his exit needs to be facilitated as quickly as possible. With a huge Premier League season ahead, the last thing the club needs is any sense of negativity or deadwood in the squad.
As for whether Kompany should show faith in Weghorst, the striker’s goal record would suggest not. Across 37 Premier League appearances with Burnley and Manchester United, Weghorst has managed just two goals. Despite his profligacy, Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag valued Weghorst’s qualities, saying, “he showed great personality and character…I think he has intelligence from positions, he is a very good anticipator…he is capable,” as quoted by the club’s official website.
However, unless he can show very quickly that he is able to dramatically improve his goal return, then Burnley should offload the player and set about continuing their upward trajectory in his absence.
Burnley will just hope that some viable suitors for Weghorst make themselves known, so that all options remain open to them.