Why Burnley should go all out and sign Chris Basham
According to Daily Mail, Burnley are interested in signing Sheffield United defender Chris Basham in the summer to bolster their squad.
Basham, 32, spent time at the academy of Newcastle United before joining Bolton’s U18 side. However, he spent most of his Bolton career on loan and played for clubs like Stafford Rangers and Rochdale before making the jump to Blackpool in the summer of 2010. After making 94 appearances for the Seasiders, he was signed by Sheffield United on a free transfer.
Since then, he has gone on to make 281 appearances for the club and played a vital role in their promotion to the Championship first and then to the top-flight. The English centre-back is Sheffield United’s longest-serving player and has been a key figure in their recent successes. However, he has just one year left on his contract with the Blades and thus Burnley would be wise to secure his services now.
Basham – A reliable and consistent defender
At the moment, there are only two main central defenders available at Dyche’s disposal. Club captain Ben Mee and James Tarkowski have been regular starters without a proper backup. Though they have done well, Burnley have conceded 48 goals so far, which is the second-worst among the top ten teams in the league standings. This is one area the manager needs to strengthen.
Kevin Long and Ben Gibson are the other two defenders in the squad. While the former has made just 7 league appearances so far, Gibson has featured in just one league game in the last two seasons. This shows the lack of options in the Clarets’ defence.
In that regard, Basham would be a fantastic signing for Burnley. The former Blackpool centre-back has been consistent for the Blades since his arrival. Despite being 32, he has started in every league fixture under Chris Wilder this term and doesn’t seem to slow down. His experience in English football would definitely come in handy for the Clarets if he joins them.
The 32-year-old has been a vital cog in Sheffield’s backline, which has conceded just 36 goals so far and boasts of the joint third-best defensive record in the league along with Manchester United. He could be reliable for Burnley next season and could add value to their defensive unit.
Read more
- Why Burnley should revive their interest in Kalvin Phillips
- Why Burnley swapping Ben Gibson for Dael Fry would be a good move
Verdict
With just two main defenders in the team, it would be hard for the Clarets next season. Thus, they need to bring in experienced defenders, and Basham perfectly fits the bill. Though he may not be a long-term prospect, he could be helpful in the near future. Thus, they should manage to lure the 32-year-old to Turf Moor at the earliest.
