There are not many better players than Dan James in the Championship right now but a Burnley player reckons he’s better than the Leeds United winger, Wilfried Gnonto and even Gustavo Hamer.
Burnley are not in the Championship promotion race for their flair, their attacking intent or even pleasing their own supporters. But Scott Parker has identified the strengths of his squad and played to them.
Indeed, inheriting a side that were relegated under Vincent Kompany last season, Parker was handed a side that boasted plenty of quality in defence. At least, at Championship level and it’s showed this term.
Parker has played a somewhat pragmatic style of football that has focused on keeping clean sheets and shutting out the opposition. Just nine goals conceded, James Trafford has kept 21 clean sheets in 30.
Hannibal Mejbri reckons he’s better than Leeds United duo
The kind of player that certainly is not in the Burnley side to make friends, former Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri took part in a growing trend appearing on social media in recent months.
The £9.4m signing was asked to remain quiet until he heard the name of a better player on the League of 72’s Tik Tok over the weekend. In typical Hannibal fashion, he remained quiet for the entire list of players.
That list included Leeds United duo Dan James and Wilfried Gnonto, as well as Sheffield United playmaker Gustavo Hamer. A player that Leeds tried to sign in the summer, but a £13m bid for Hamer was rejected.
Hannibal has already angered Leeds United fans this season
Burnley are the only side to beat Leeds in the Championship at Elland Road, when Manor Solomon slipped and allowed Italian youngster Luca Koleosho to run through and score, Burnley winning 1-0.
A game in which Hannibal and Ethan Ampadu went hammer and tongues throughout. After being substituted, Hannibal walked past the south stand and celebrated vigorously in front of the away fans.
It wasn’t just on the pitch at Elland Road that the Burnley midfielder attempted to get under the skin of Leeds fans. Hannibal then attempted to rile up Leeds supporters on social media after Burnley’s victory.
It is worth nothing that Hannibal has started just 10 of his 25 Championship appearances, failing to score a single goal and laying on two assists. Parker has started him just once in Burnley’s last seven matches.
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