Burnley have completed the signing of Maxwel Cornet from Lyon for a rumoured £15 million.
The left midfielder – who has also operated at left back before – is a welcomed addition to a fleeting squad that boasts just two senior wide players.
Les Gones agreed to the fee which is Burnley’s club record on Tuesday before the Ivory Coast international agreed his personal terms this weekend - a five year deal with the Lancashire side.
German side Hertha Berlin were the favourites to bring him in, but Cornet’s desire to play Premier League football has brought him to Lancashire.
Who is Maxwel Cornet?
The signing of Cornet is somewhat a statement of intent from The Clarets, despite how late it has come in the transfer window.
At 24 years-old, Cornet is coming into his peak and should be a key member of Sean Dyche’s squad for many seasons to come.
He is typically a left winger, playing as more of a forward in pre-season for his old club, but can play on either side of midfield and has also been a solid left back in his time.
The 4-4-2 formation that Dyche plays will suit Cornet to a tee, his searching deliveries and direct runs towards goal will cause problems and create many chances for the forwards ahead of him.
Since joining from Metz in 2014, he has found the net 31 times in the Ligue 1, and has made 22 appearances for the Ivory Coast, scoring five times since his debut in 2017.
But, as previously alluded to, Cornet is more than capable defensively with his pace being a huge asset to have if The Clarets are caught too high up the pitch.
Will he have an impact?
Yes. 15 million times yes.
And that doesn’t have to be statistically either.
Having another tricky winger will take attention away from Dwight McNeiland allow him to catch his breath, as he has looked shattered by the end of the first two games.
McNeil has been overworked time and time again as the only creative member of the attack and has been ineffective in the final part of the games.
In the game against Brighton and Hove Albion, Burnley were the better team for the majority of the first hour of the game.
As McNeil’s productivity dwindled, The Seagulls grew into the game.
And, when the visitors got themselves ahead, the England Under-21 international was completely finished by the time his team were in search of their equaliser.
With Cornet available, both players can share the workload and cause problems from both sides.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson can put in a wonderful delivery looking for the front two, but he lacks the directness that the new signing can bring.
A bit of flair, a bit of pace will excite Turf Moor and it’s faithful and genuinely could be the difference between survival and relegation.
One extra player isn’t a lot but, in the context of Burnley Football Club, it really is.
With Cornet’s arrival, Josh Brownhillis now solely a central midfielder – as he should be anyway.
He is wasted out on the wing so being able to focus on becoming a better Premier League centre midfielder.
It also is an extra senior player that can be named on the bench and can be called upon to change the game.
Gudmundsson will be a good player to bring on as his fresh legs should be able to put a more concise ball into the box than a tired Cornet or McNeil.
But the Ivorian is certainly an upgrade in more ways than one.
He said...
Cornet told the club's website: "I am excited to be joining Burnley in the Premier League and to play with and against many of the greatest players in the world.
"I have developed the greatest respect for Burnley and what the club has done.
"I welcome the challenge of hard work and am fully committed to doing what I can to contribute.
"I look forward to what we can achieve."
When will he make his debut?
Cornet hasn’t been registered in time to feature before the International Break so his debut could come on the September 13th, on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports against Everton.