
The 22-year-old is preparing for his first season in the Premier League with Burnley FC.
Burnley’s Lyle Foster, who has struggled with anxiety and depression, acknowledges that he has in the past thought about
killing himself.
After being promoted by Vincent Kompany at the Clarets last season, the 22-year-old is getting ready for his maiden
campaign in the Premier League.
According to Foster, things have not always been simple, especially since he moved to Europe, in an interview with
renowned broadcaster Robert Marawa on #MSW.
I was in Belgium and it was after the game against Morocco. I went back for pre-season and some things didn’t
feel right. I had severe depression and anxiety at the time and struggled to focus on my game.
Lyle Foster, Burnley Striker
I was alone in my apartment and felt this huge sense of loneliness. I felt like I couldn’t really express myself around my team
mates. I used to just go to training and play games and I didn’t really look forward to doing anything else outside of that.
Lyle Foster, Burnley Striker
My family have been so, so good with me and the structures around have been so good that I am enjoying life
again on and off the field.
Lyle Foster, Burnley Striker
I spoke to my parents and my agent as well and I wanted to come back home and play here. I was clouded by the darkness
but I am grateful for the support that the club [Westerlo] gave me as well.
READ MORE:
Adrian Clarke on the qualities Clarets stars Benson, Beyer and Zaroury bring to the Premier League
Belgium star Benson produced a breathtaking collection of long-range strikes for Burnley last season.
Cutting in from the right flank onto his favoured left foot, the 26-year-old curled a string of unstoppable efforts past a host of
Championship goalkeepers.
Benson was handed only 14 starts by head coach Vincent Kompany, but he made 19 appearances as an impact substitute.
Whether he started a match or came off the bench, he impressed. He scored 11 goals at a rate of one every 135.3 minutes
during his debut season in English football.
In 1v1s the wide man has quick feet and a wonderful burst of acceleration that regularly help him skip past full-backs on the inside or outside.
Overall, he made 54 chance-ending ball carries, including eight goals he scored from a dribble. No individual produced more.
Always looking to get a strike on goal, Benson’s 3.63 non-penalty shots per 90 minutes ranked him second in the Championship.
The former Royal Antwerp winger only produced three assists, although an average of 2.12 key passes in open play per 90 minutes indicate he is a creative player.
Benson may not be a regular starter across 2023/24, but it will be a surprise if he does not make his mark.
His right-wing wizardry is sure to provide memorable moments.
Jordan Beyer
German centre-back Beyer shone brightly during a loan move from Borussia Monchengladbach, so it was no surprise to see
the Clarets sign him on a permanent basis this summer.
The 23-year-old is tailor-made to play in a Kompany side. Playing on the left of a central defensive duo, the right-footer is an
excellent passer who boasted a 91.4 per cent accuracy rate last season, the second-highest in the Championship.
When the ball is at his feet, Beyer stands out from most centre-backs because he regularly wants to carry it forward.
Elegant, well-balanced, and quick across the ground, Beyer regularly dribbles past opponents on forays into the opposition
half.
He made 27 ball carries per 90 minutes last season, the second-most of any player in the Championship, and by surging
down the spine he consistently committed rival forwards and midfielders to make a challenge.
Averaging 8.5m progress with each carry, he was the catalyst for many attacks.
From these marauding dribbles, Beyer had four shots on goal and made five chances for others.
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