Phil SumblerThere is an increased belief that Burnley may be prepared to let former Swans defender Connor Roberts leave on loan in the January transfer window after a frustrating start to his career at Turf Moor that has seen game time become very limited.
Roberts joined Burnley on transfer deadline day after more than 150 appearances for the Swans and after another successful European Championship campaign for Wales which ended early due to an injury.
However, he is yet to make a Premier League appearance for Burnley with his only appearance being an EFL cup defeat to Tottenham at the end of October. He did play – and score – for Wales in the recent demolition of Belarus in Cardiff but it has not been the season that the full back needs ahead of a potential World Cup appearance in 12 months time.
Roberts will be aware of the need to play regular football and I have little doubt that Burnley will want to see him getting regular football. The prospect of that seems unlikely at Turf Moor with Roberts seemingly outside of their matchday squad which has prompted sources close to Burnley to believe that they would be prepared to listen to loan offers in January.
Speaking after Roberts’ solitary performance, manager Sean Dyche said “I spoke to him before the game, I said we still have trust in him.
”I thought Connor was excellent in the week and I explained to him that there is still a bit of loyalty, trust and hierarchy.
”When we have had our players we tend to treat them properly.
“And Bardo (Phil Bardsley) has been really good for us, he could easily have started for us the other night, and I explained to him that I wanted to get Connor some football.
“Connor knows the script, he’s here to keep developing, moving forwards, as does Nathan (Collins), and they have certainly made a good start to what they’re going to do here in the future.”
Roberts absence is all the more puzzling when you consider that Burnley have won just once in the Premier League this season – against Brentford – and currently sit in the bottom three ahead of the visit of Spurs to Turf Moor on Sunday.
Dyche wasalso asked about Roberts last weekend to which he said “He’s fine, he’s doing really well actually, we’re just easing him in, as we have done with many players in my years here.”
It is difficult to know whether there is an issue behind the scenes between player and manager – what does seem odd is that his absence from the squad is clearly down to the manager not wanting to select him and not a fitness issue as was the initial suggestions earlier in the season.
The news that Burnley could consider a loan move for Roberts is sure to alert Swansea although his place in the side has been taken by Ethan Laird who is performing brilliantly on the other side of the park to Jake Bidwell. However, wing back options are limited and bringing Roberts in would certainly provide that although some of our chances could depend on how many requirements Burnley may have for regular first team football.
Of course the Swans would not be alone in becoming alerted to the availability although his ties to the area – friends and family – would see us at the top end of his list of preferable destinations.
This is one that Swans fans will be watching on with interest in terms of what will be the fate of Connor Roberts by the end of January.
