Burnley, under Sean Dyche, have had a fail-safe template for surviving the Premier League tough, sturdy defending combined with direct attacking and a strong home record. Turf Moor has not been the best place for a youngster looking to make his mark on the game indeed, Burnley had not given a Premier League start to a player under the age of 20 since they were promoted.
That record changed this past season, as Dwight McNeil found himself an integral part of Burnleys lineup in the latter half of the campaign. His introduction to the team in December coincided with the Clarets going eight matches unbeaten in the league, and although they did stumble and lose four straight games thereafter, Burnley managed to survive for yet another season amongst the Premier League elite.
McNeil was instrumental through all of this, with the statistics bearing this out he was tied for the most goal involvements by a teenager (eight) in the Premier League with Fulhams Ryan Sessegnon, while he finished the season ranked second for completed dribbles in the Burnley squad, having played around 40% of the minutes of those above and below him.
This tactical analysis piece will look at the former Manchester United trainee and what his strengths and weaknesses are.
McNeils footballing education started off at Manchester United, where he was part of the youth teams before he joined Burnleys academy in 2014. He actually played as a striker for the U-18 and Development squads, before gradually being moved out wide to the left wing. McNeil was named Burnleys Youth Team Player of the Year in May 2018, and made his first-team debut later that month as a substitute in the final game of the season against Bournemouth.
The Englishman started Burnleys league game against Manchester United in September last year, but was then nowhere to be seen until a substitute appearance against Everton on Boxing Day. That was the catalyst, as the 19-year old started all of Burnleys league games since then, scoring his first Premier League goal on 30th December against West Ham United.
He ended the season with three goals and five assists, and his creativity played a big role in Burnleys eventual survival. It was no surprise that the club signed him to a new three-year contract in January, and even that may not be enough to keep him at Turf Moor if he continues in the same vein come the new season.
Positioning
As the heat map above shows, McNeil primarily plays on the left-hand side of the pitch. As a left-footed player, this makes him a traditional winger, which is a bit of a rarity in todays game where inverted wingers are more commonly found. McNeil usually stays wide on the left to receive the ball and prefers to run at the opposition full-back rather than cut inside.
He struck up a good relationship with Charlie Taylor, the Burnley left-back, and the duo combined well whenever they were on the pitch together.
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