Burnley FC
Leicester beating off competitions to sign this Burnley star could very well pay off for Rodgers
Why Leicester City should beat others to Burnley starlet Dwight McNeil
According to claims from TEAMtalk (h/t Leicestershire Live), Leicester City have been credited with an interest in Burnley starlet Dwight McNeil, who has established himself as one of the best rising wide players in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old has established himself as a regular fixture for the Clarets since the second half of the previous campaign and his impressive transition from the academy to the senior level has already drawn admiring glances from the scouts of several other Premier League clubs higher up the table.
McNeil started his development in the youth ranks at Manchester United before joining Burnley’s academy back in 2014 and caught the eye with his rapid progress at various age-group levels for the Lancashire outfit.
Apart from Leicester, Everton and Wolves have also shortlisted the Rochdale-born teenager as a potential transfer target heading into the mid-season trading period in January. (TEAMtalk, h/t Leicestershire Live)
However, McNeil, who has a contract at Turf Moor until the summer of 2023, is unlikely to be sold on the cheap by the Clarets, with the report claiming that Sean Dyche is holding out for a fee of around £30million to part ways with his influential wide player.
The youngster earned rave reviews for his tally of 3 goals and 5 assists in 21 Premier League appearances last time around and he has kicked on exactly from where he had signed off last season.
McNeil has started each of Burnley’s first eleven league fixtures this term, scoring once and setting up another three from the left-hand side of the pitch.
To put things into perspective, Leicester City look well on course for a top-six finish in the Premier League this season following an impressive start to the campaign under Brendan Rodgers and the acquisition of Dwight McNeil in January could add yet another feather to their cap.
Having inflicted an ignominious 9-0 defeat on Southampton last week, the Foxes continued their juggernaut with yet another impressive 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League this weekend, as Rodgers’ side finished Round 11 placed 3rd in the standings, ahead of Chelsea on goal difference.
With James Maddison and Youri Tielemans continuing to pull out their dissecting knives on a regular basis to torment defences, Ayoze Perez starting to hit the ground running and Jamie Vardy simply unstoppable in front of goal, the Foxes have looked like a well-oiled attacking unit.
Academy prospect Harvey Barnes has established himself as a regular down the left-hand side of the pitch this term, with Demarai Gray and Marc Albrighton providing the youngster with good enough competition.
However, McNeil’s unprecedented rise over the last ten months lie testament to his massive potential and the Burnley starlet could well prove to be an upgrade on someone like Gray, who has struggled with the quality of his end product over the course of his time at the King Power Stadium.
Blessed with an absolute wand of a left foot, the 19-year-old has impressed one and all with his proficiency in setting up goals with his pinpoint crossing from the left flank while also making his presence felt with his key passes and ability to hold on to the ball in the tight areas.
Verdict
McNeil might not be as quick and direct as someone like Barnes but he has shown that he is better than the Leicester graduate when it comes to setting up goals with crosses and set-piece ability. As per whoscored, McNeil averages 1.5 crosses per game as compared to Barnes, who only averages 0.1 crosses per game.
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Suffice to say, McNeil and Barnes are really talented young wide players who excel with different sets of attributes and Leicester completing a move for the 19-year-old would improve the quality of the supply lines for Jamie Vardy to feast upon.
That said, Leicester should make Dwight McNeil a top priority heading into the January window and beating off competition from other clubs in their pursuit of the 19-year-old could pay off handsomely, as the Burnley man looks destined for greater heights in the future.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Women have completed the signing of defender Jasmine Matthews from Burnley, marking their first summer addition ahead of their debut season in the Women’s Super League 2. The Cornwall-born defender joins on a two year deal from 1 July, bolstering Dan McNamara’s defensive options as the club prepares for professional football.
Matthews brings over 150 Women’s Super League appearances and a wealth of experience across the top tier. The defender previously played for Bristol City and Liverpool, where she enjoyed two spells and helped the Reds secure promotion from the Championship in 2022. She has also featured in UEFA Women’s Champions League competition with both clubs, demonstrating her ability to perform at elite level.
McNamara Identifies Proven Quality
McNamara praised Matthews’ attributes, highlighting her reputation for consistency, leadership and defensive reliability. The Wolves manager revealed that Matthews was identified as a target following their opening fixture against Burnley last season, with her quality evident from that first professional encounter.
The signing sends a clear message about Wolves’ ambitions during their inaugural professional campaign. Rather than focusing solely on young talent, the club are targeting experienced players capable of elevating standards and establishing winning mentality within the squad.
England Youth International Provides Leadership
Matthews represented England at under-17, under-19 and under-23 levels during her youth career, demonstrating her progression through the elite development pathway. Her appointment should provide crucial leadership and defensive solidity as Wolves navigate their first season in the second tier.
McNamara expressed confidence that Matthews will become a fan favourite while raising collective standards across the defensive unit.
Also read: England Goalkeeper Khiara Keating Turns Down Manchester City Contract as Playing Time Dries Up
Lola Ogunbote has left her position as head of women’s football at Burnley to pursue a new challenge, departing the club at the end of June. Ogunbote departs after five years overseeing the Clarets’ remarkable rise through the divisions, culminating in promotion to Women’s Super League 2 for the first time in the club’s history last season.
During her tenure, Ogunbote managed recruitment, player development, performance structures and overall football operations across the women’s department. Her most significant achievement came when Burnley won the Women’s National League without losing a game, a crowning moment that reflected the collective effort of everyone involved in the project.
Historic Achievement Overshadowed by Turbulence
While last season’s promotion represented a milestone achievement, the campaign proved turbulent off the pitch. Burnley cycled through four different managers during the season, creating instability within the coaching structure. The club also faced tragedy when former manager Matt Beard tragically took his own life a month after being placed on gardening leave.
Ogunbote’s leadership during these challenging circumstances demonstrated resilience and commitment to the project. Ross Wallace finished the season as interim manager, guiding the Clarets over the promotion line before being linked with an academy coaching role elsewhere.
Lasting Legacy at Turf Moor
Owner Alan Pace paid tribute to Ogunbote’s contribution, acknowledging her instrumental role in driving the women’s football vision forward and establishing a legacy that will benefit Burnley for years to come. Ogunbote expressed gratitude for the board’s unwavering support and the togetherness that enabled the women’s side to achieve historic success.
The club must now identify a successor to continue building on the foundations Ogunbote established during her transformative tenure.
Patrick Bamford is an English professional football player who plays as a striker for the English Premier League club Leeds United and for the English national team and in this article we will see more about the player’s Net Worth, Salary, Sponsors, Girlfriend, Tattoos, Cars, and more.
Patrick James Bamford famously called Patrick Bamford joined the Premier League club Leeds United from Middlesbrough in 2018 and has been playing at a serious level for a long time now.
He has played for England’s football team at the national level. Let us get to know more about the striker’s profile in detail in the following paragraphs.
Patrick Bamford Net Worth and Salary
Bamford is one of those experienced players and footballing has contributed much to his earnings. The net worth of the player is estimated to be 20 million euros as of 2026. The market value of the player in 2026 is valued at €15.00m by Transfermarkt.
He currently earns a salary of £2,080,000 per year playing for the Premier League club Leeds United. He is currently one of the highest earners in the club. His value has grown over the years.
Patrick Bamford Club Career
Bamford began footballing at Nottingham Forest’s academy in 2001 and got promoted to the senior team in 2011. He made his senior debut against Cardiff City in a 1-0 defeat in December 2011. He moved to Chelsea in January 2012 on a long-term deal for a reported transfer fee of 1.5 million pounds.
He made his debut against Gillingham in a friendly match that ended in a 5-4 victory. He extended his contract with the club in July 2015 and that allowed him to stay with the club till 2018. He joined Milton Keynes Dons on a loan for 2 seasons and made 37 league appearances scoring 18 goals.
He was loaned out to Crystal Palace in July 2015 and remained there until January. He made his debut against Arsenal in a 2-1 home defeat. He joined Norwich City in January 2016 on loan until the end of the season.
He joined Middlesbrough in 2017 on a long-term deal for a reported fee of 5.5 million pounds. He made 47 appearances in his year time and scored 12 goals before leaving for Leeds United in 2018. He joined Leeds United in July 2018 on a four-year deal for a reported fee of 7 million pounds plus add-ons. He made his debut against Bolton Wanderers in an EFL Cup match and the match ended in a 2-1 win. In 2017, he moved to Leeds United. He played 192 matches for the club scoring 52 goals. He moved to the Sheffield United club for the 2025 season.
Patrick Bamford International Career
Bamford is eligible to represent Ireland and England teams internationally. He made his U18 debut for Ireland in 2010 and then switched to play for England’s U18 team in the same year and appeared in 2 matches. He also represented the U19 and U21 levels of England’s national team. He made his debut against Andorra in September 2021 and the match ended in a 4-0 victory.
Patrick Bamford Family
Bamford was born on 5 September 1993 in Grantham, England. Information regarding his parents and siblings has been kept private. They have struggled a lot to make him reach professional-level football and they have been more supportive of him with money.
Patrick Bamford Girlfriend
Bamford is living a happy life with his girlfriend Michaela Ireland. He stunned his girlfriend when he proposed to her while they were abroad for a trip. The couple seems very happy together, and very much in love. In addition, the couple announced on their social media accounts that they were blessed with a girl child together.
Patrick Bamford Sponsors and Endorsements
Bamford has not been seen endorsing any company but several reports give us a fair idea that Bamford earns a good amount from brand endorsements and sponsorship deals. This is evident from his luxurious lifestyle which of course he doesn’t fail to share with all his fans on social media.
Patrick Bamford Cars and Tattoos
Bamford has not been spotted driving a car in the streets of England. It is certain that the player has a decent car collection in his garage to roam out. Unlike many footballers, the player seems not fond of tattooing his body. He has been only focusing on his game at the moment. The youngster aspires to achieve big for his country and club.
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