Genk talisman Mike Tresor Ndayishimiye has opened the door for a move to Premier League newcomers Burnley while expressing his admiration for the work Vincent Kompany has done at Turf Moor.
Thanks to Genk coach Wouter Vrancken, we already know that Kompany wanted Tresor at Burnley in 2022.
And, with Premier League football now on its way back to this particular corner of Lancashire, one suspects that Vrancken will be expecting to hear the phone ring again, Kompany’s gruff tones on the other end of the line.
The twinkle-toed Tresor contributed eight goals and 24 assists during a staggering 2022/23 campaign. No one in Belgium can rival him when it comes to wracking havoc in the final third.
A midfielder of his guile, vision and game-changing quality would fit in nicely at Burnley too; Kompany turning a team renowned for their directness and their physical prowess under Sean Dyche into one capable of passing and probing almost any team into submission.
Is another Belgian league star heading to Burnley?
“I do think (my future) will be discussed in the coming months,” Tresor tells Het Laaste Nieuws. “Those conversations will have to show what is best for Genk and for myself.
“Let me put it this way; I am not saying that I am necessarily done in Belgium. I still have a lot to learn anyway, and I have to keep taking steps.”
90Min claim that Brighton, Brentford, Wolves and Nottingham Forest have sent scouts to watch the former Willem II talisman in recent months. Recently-relegated Leicester City too.
The mere presence of former Belgium captain Kompany could give Burnley an advantage over their growing array of rival suitors, however, with the likes of Anass Zaroury, Josh Cullen and Manuel Benson all thriving after swapping the Jupuler League for claret-and-blue.
“Okay, I have learned that (Kompany) appreciates my qualities,” Tresor adds. “That is, of course, just nice to hear. His Burnley play according to a certain philosophy that would make me feel good.
“For me, playing style has always been important in choosing a club.”
Scott Twine: Swindon Town boss Mike Flynn is a legend to me
FORMER Swindon Town forward Scott Twine believes current Robins boss Mike Flynn is “a legend” and admitted he was delighted to see the Welshman take over at the County Ground last month.
The Burnley forward played under Flynn on loan at Newport County in the first half of the 2020-21 season, scoring seven goals and creating six others before returning to parent club Swindon and maintaining his strong personal form.
That stint was, in Twine’s own words, the breakthrough for a player who could be playing Premier League football just four years after lighting up National League South with Chippenham Town.
Speaking on the latest episode of Steve Hooper and Jonah Isaac’s entertaining Life of a Kitman podcast, Swindon-born Twine discussed a variety of subjects from his career.
As in every episode of Life of a Kitman which features a guest, Twine was asked to name the best players he’s ever played with to make up an all-star five-a-side team.
When asked for the manager, Twine said: “This is the toughest one. There’s three that stand out, for different reasons really.
“Michael Flynn, I could speak about him all day, to be honest. I still speak to him now – legend.
“I think he gave me my first chance, and he was the first manager that really believed in me and he gave me my breakthrough in professional football.
“Between him, Liam Manning – who I was with at MK Dons – and then obviously Vincent Kompany.
“How he’s been with me, he’s changed the way I look at football with how he speaks about the game, how we train, how we prepare for games – he’s a genius, to be honest.”
Having already spent time at Irish club, Waterford and in National League South with the Bluebirds, Twine revealed the decision to loan him out again at the start of 20-21 was a bit of a shock.
But after receiving assurances from Flynn that the days of Newport playing long ball were over, Twine agreed to move over to south Wales and began flourishing under the Exiles’ fresh style.
Discussing the effect Flynn had on his career, Twine said: “I always believed in myself, but it’s one thing believing in yourself and it’s another knowing you can play at this level.
“Michael Flynn just let me play with a smile on my face. He wasn’t worried if I gave the ball away, as long as you work hard and try to win it back quickly.
“He really believed in me, and he gave me the confidence that I could just play so freely. That’s why I’ll always thank him.
“I regularly speak to him and thank him for everything he did for me. I couldn’t speak highly enough of him, and I was buzzing when I saw he’d come here.”
