When Josh Brownhill singed for Burnley in January 2020, few people would have predicted the immediate impact he has made. However, now a regular on the team sheet, Brownhill has become a favourite in East Lancashire and it's easy to see why.
Stats
Brownhill has made 7 appearances so far for Burnley, with all of them coming in the Premier League. Before this, at Bristol City, he made 29 appearances in all competitions, scoring five and assisting two.
Although his basic stats aren't show stopping, his underlying stats are a bit more impressive. He averages 29 passes a match for the Claret's, which is solid for someone who is sometimes used as a substitute and who plays for a team that struggle to control possession. His 205 completed passes show is activeness on the field.
Defensively he isn't too bad either, with a 70% tackle success rate, 11 interceptions, 13 clearances, 27 recoveries and 35 duels won. These stats show he has slotted comfortably into a box-to-box midfielder role for a Burnley side in fine form.
Taking Chances
If COVID-19 hadn't appeared, if Jeff Hendrick signed a new deal and if The Claret's hadn't had significant injury worries would Brownhill have been given his chance?
Probably not, but with Hendrick gone and Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Jack Cork and Robbie Brady all either injured or coming back from injury, Brownhill has been given an opportunity in both central midfield and out wide on the right. He has impressed fans and Sean Dyche alike with his energy and work rate.
What The Future Holds
The future for Brownhill is incredibly dependant on whether Dcyhe stays or goes. It is likely a new manager would continue to use Brownhill but nobody will be able to develop Brownhill into a solid Premier League player like Dyche will be able to.
Burnley could get into Europe this season which will progress them and there players further, including Brownhill who at 24 would relish European football to boost his career. In truth, it is hard to see just how Brownhill's career will progress but the impact on Burnley is key to both his and the clubs success.