---
title: "Burnley: Sean Dyche praises “very adaptable” Dwight McNeil"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/burnley-sean-dyche-praises-adaptable-dwight-mcneil/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "Burnley"
published: "2020-07-02T15:10:43Z"
modified: "2020-07-02T15:10:43Z"
---

# Burnley: Sean Dyche praises “very adaptable” Dwight McNeil

**Burnley manager Sean Dyche has hailed [Dwight McNeil](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/burnley-fc-transfer-rumours/dwight-mcneil-profile/) as a “very adaptable player” after the in-demand winger slotted into an unfamiliar role in the Clarets’ previous match.**

A [spate of injuries to his strikers](https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/football/big-talent-dwight-mcneil-showing-he-adaptable-burnley-boss-sean-dyche-2900637) against Crystal Palace on Monday saw Dyche move the 20-year-old from his [usual left-wing role](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dwight-mcneil/leistungsdaten/spieler/584769) to a [number 10 position](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3219213) just behind lone centre-forward Matej Vydra, a switch which yielded dividends as the Clarets left Selhurst Park victorious.

As per [Burnley Express](https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/football/big-talent-dwight-mcneil-showing-he-adaptable-burnley-boss-sean-dyche-2900637), the manager said about McNeil after that game: “He’s a very adaptable player, and it looked like he enjoyed it”, adding that “it is certainly a massive benefit for young players to learn how to do that”.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

McNeil, who is valued at £16.2m by [TransferMarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dwight-mcneil/profil/spieler/584769), has been the subject of transfer speculation linking him with [Manchester United](https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/4740152/man-utd-keeping-transfer-tabs-on-35m-burnley-winger-dwight-mcneil-five-years-after-dumping-him/), [Everton and Crystal Palace](https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/transfer-news/burnley-mcneil-dyche-manchester-united-18502625), and Dyche admitted to [Lancashire Live](https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/transfer-news/burnley-mcneil-dyche-manchester-united-18502625) earlier this week that the possibility of the youngster leaving Burnley is a very realistic one.

The 20-year-old has [two goals and six assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dwight-mcneil/leistungsdaten/spieler/584769) to his name this season, most recently [setting up Jay Rodriguez’s winner](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3219158) against Watford last week, and has played [primarily on the left flank](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dwight-mcneil/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/584769) over the course of his fledgling career.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”304227″\]

However, the Crystal Palace game was not his first time being moved from the left wing. He has [played on the right flank](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dwight-mcneil/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/584769/saison//verein/0/liga/0/wettbewerb//trainer_id/0/pos/12) on a handful of occasions and [scored against Chelsea from that position](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3219381) earlier this term. Monday was the [first time](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dwight-mcneil/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/584769), though, that he has played in a central role rather than out wide and he adapted commendably, getting two shots on target as well as completing 24 of his 30 passes and finding a team-mate with four of his five long balls against the Eagles (as per [Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/crystal-palace-burnley/gsh)).

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Dyche is hopeful of having Rodriguez back for Sunday’s clash against Sheffield United, although Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood remain sidelined (as per [premierinjuries.com](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php)).

\[freshpress-poll id=”306896″\]

At least if there is another game where Burnley have only one centre-forward available, the manager knows that he can depend on McNeil to take up a number 10 role behind the target man. Also, for the youngster himself, an ability to learn how to play in a variety of attacking positions should stand to him as his career develops.

***Burnley fans, did you think McNeil played well in a central role against Crystal Palace? Have your say by commenting below!***