Luca Koleosho has been tipped to be a potential “bargain of the century” following another eye-catching display for Burnley.
The winger, who has only recently turned 19, tore Nottingham Forest to shreds at times during Monday’s dramatic 1-1 draw at the City Ground.
The Italy Under-20 international, who made the move to Turf Moor from Espanyol during the summer for a rumoured £2.3m fee, was heavily involved in the game’s opening goal, rinsing Joe Worrall for pace by the touchline before seeing his pullback dispatched in clinical fashion by Zeki Amdouni.
Such was the nature of Koleosho’s dominant display on the left wing, Forest boss Steve Cooper felt compelled to bring full-back Gonzalo Montiel – a World Cup winner with Argentina – off shortly into the second-half.
Koleosho’s performance certainly caught the eye of former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy, who was commentating on the game for talkSPORT.
He has tormented Montiel in the first-half,” presenter Adrian Durham said at half-time.
“He could be the bargain of the century given what we’ve seen in this first half.”
“He’s grown into the game, as Burnley have,” Murphy said.
“But what he’s got is wonderful pace, a willingness to run without the ball into space which you always need but not every winger wants to do that. When you’ve got those two attributes, you’re a problem.
“He’s happy to go on his left and go inside, he’s a real problem for the full-back. He looks completely free, he looks like he’s really enjoying himself.”
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Burnley boss Vincent Kompany delivers verdict on Lyle Foster’s red card vs Nottingham Forest
The striker is to serve a three-game suspension after being sent off for violent conduct during Monday night’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Referee Robert Jones initially missed the incident but, following a VAR check, the 23-year-old was shown a straight red for an elbow into the midriff of Ryan Yates.
Foster will now miss the upcoming league games against Manchester United and Newcastle United, as well as the Carabao Cup third round tie against Salford City which is sandwiched in between.
The South African, Burnley’s top scorer so far this season in the Premier League, will return to action for the trip to Luton Town on Tuesday, October 3.
“He will be (a miss), but that’s why you build a squad,” Kompany said. “We have players who can play this position. We have other players who can add something.
“We saw on Monday with Mike Tresor coming in, there’s more to come.
There are players who haven’t played yet who have the potential to help us. In these moments hopefully they can step up.
We will miss Lyle but it’s an opportunity for somebody else.”
Addressing the incident itself, Kompany admits he might have to put an arm around the striker to make sure he comes back on top form.
It comes after the striker opened up over the summer on his recent mental health struggles following his move to Europe.
“It’s a shame,” Kompany said of Foster’s red card.
“The effort he puts into the team and how he’s establishing himself in this league, I think it’s something you have to put forward first but he made a mistake.
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