Football League World
·15 August 2024
Leeds United, Norwich City and Sunderland in Burnley player race
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Football League World
·15 August 2024
Three big Championship clubs have taken an interest in Manuel Benson, who may find his game time limited again this season.
Championship trio Leeds United, Norwich City and Sunderland have all taken an interest in Burnley winger Manuel Benson.
This is according to Daily Express journalist Charlie Gordon also believes the player is keen to win more game time, having failed to feature that much in the past year.
Benson was a key figure in the Clarets' promotion-winning 2022/23 campaign, with his goal contributions helping the club to be a success under Vincent Kompany during that season.
However, signings made last summer meant his game time was limited last season.
Some of those additions, including Luca Koleosho, have remained with the club as things stand, and that isn't ideal for Benson who will be keen to secure more game time during the 2024/25 season.
On Monday, it was Koloesho and Vitinho who started out wide during the Clarets' first league game of the campaign, with Anass Zaroury coming on as a substitute in the second half.
Benson, however, remained an unused substitute and the 27-year-old will be upset that he didn't get the chance to play in the exciting 4-1 win against Luton Town.
Under Scott Parker, the Belgian may retain hope of winning more starts this season, but it won't be easy for him to force himself past others in the pecking order.
Reporter Gordon believes Leeds, the Canaries and the Black Cats all have a "concrete" interest in Benson at this point.
It's no surprise that all three clubs are looking at their wing area, with the Whites needing more quality following the departures of Crysencio Summerville and Jaidon Anthony in recent months.
They have seen Benson shine at this level before - and may believe he can be a game-changer like Summerville - who will be a big miss at Elland Road.
The Canaries, meanwhile, are in need of more attacking firepower after the departures of Gabriel Sara and Adam Idah.
It also remains to be seen whether Jonathan Rowe remains at the club, and if he doesn't, someone like Benson could play a big part in helping to fill that void.
After two big sales, Norwich could have the funds needed to sign Benson, who could be an excellent addition.
Regis Le Bris' Black Cats are another team in the race for the Clarets' man - and he could potentially be lined up as a replacement for Jack Clarke - who could attract plenty of interest before the end of the window.
Benson will want to win more game time and this is why leaving Turf Moor may not be a difficult decision for him if he isn't going to be guaranteed more starts in the future.
However, the Clarets' decision will be tougher.
They have offloaded a couple of wingers recently, with Darko Churlinov and Dara Costelloe both leaving the Lancashire side on loan.
However, they still have a decent number of options on the wing and should probably consider offloading Benson.
But he can be a game-changer at this level and if they sell or loan him to a league rival, that may come back to bite them, so it will be interesting to see whether the Clarets are prepared to let him go in the next fortnight.