Burnley could turn to Dara O’Shea as they brace for another blow in defence — with Maxime Esteve attracting Premier League and Bundesliga interest.
New boss Scott Parker, fresh from winning promotion, faces the task of rebuilding a backline that conceded just 16 goals in the Championship. But with CJ Egan-Riley set to leave and Esteve watched by Crystal Palace, Everton and even Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich, Burnley are in need of reinforcements.
O’Shea, who shone for Ipswich last season despite relegation, could be the ideal solution — and his price tag is just £12 million.
“He’s a warrior — a leader, and someone I’d take back at any club,” said Valérien Ismaël. — Former West Brom Manager
Esteve Impressive in the Championship – But Premier League Still a Test
While Esteve impressed in the second tier with a 91% pass accuracy and 3.6 duels won per match, he failed to keep a single clean sheet during his 16 Premier League outings in 2023/24.
Burnley know his departure would hurt — but also understand that Premier League survival needs proven top-flight operators. That’s where O’Shea comes in.
O’Shea’s Numbers Stack Up as Burnley Plot £12m Return
The Republic of Ireland international won Ipswich’s Player of the Season award and already has history with Burnley. His strength in duels and comfort in possession make him a strong Esteve alternative.
| O’Shea vs Esteve – 2024/25 League Stats | O’Shea | Esteve |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 35 | 46 |
| Goals / Assists | 0 / 2 | 1 / 0 |
| Pass Accuracy | 79% | 91% |
| Clearances per Game | 6.2 | 5.0 |
| Duels Won per Game | 5.4 | 3.6 |
| Recoveries per Game | 3.1 | 3.7 |
Analyst Verdict
Esteve is a ball-playing centre-back attracting serious interest. But Burnley must be ruthless. O’Shea brings grit, aerial strength, and Premier League survival experience. At £12m, this could be Parker’s most important signing — if he can beat Wolves and Leeds to the punch.
Key Slights
- Burnley braced for Maxime Esteve departure — Kompany, Palace and Everton circling
- Dara O’Shea available for £12m after Ipswich Player of the Season campaign
- O’Shea previously played for Burnley and is admired by Parker and the board
- Defensive rebuild critical to Parker’s survival push in 2025/26
What’s Next?
Burnley will move quickly if Esteve leaves — and O’Shea is the top internal target. The Clarets face competition from Wolves and Leeds, but Parker’s personal push could swing the deal. A Premier League announcement could follow within days.
Can Dara O’Shea lead Burnley’s defence to Premier League survival?
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *