Sean Dyche has broken Burnley’s silence on Chris Wood’s departure, confirming Newcastle did activate his £25m release clause to bring him to St James’ Park.
The Clarets boss admits the fee paid is a ‘lot of money’ – especially when the player has recently turned 30 – but insists Wood was someone they were keen to keep, even if he was having a ‘quieter season’ after three goals in their opening 17 league games.
Interestingly, Dyche also refused to confirm whether he will be allowed to reinvest the money received, with him in desperate need of a new striker after losing the man whose been their top scorer over each of the past four seasons.
His former boss also praised the ‘very, very good job’ he did during his time at Turf Moor, but calls for the club to move on after wishing the Kiwi well.
Here’s everything he had to say when speaking ahead of Burnley’s postponed clash with Watford, which was meant to take place tonight:
Dyche on Wood’s £25m move to Newcastle:
“It wasn’t a perfect scenario [Chris Wood signing for Newcastle United].
“He was a good player, a bit quieter this season but a good record.
“It has happened before and we have been down this road before.
“We have a strong group and our mentality is going to be important.
“Woody is a good player, has done very well for us and we wish him well.
“It is ongoing as to whether we can invest it [the £25m received].
“We didn’t want to lose him but it is a lot of money for that player.
“Money doesn’t solve everything, it gives you a better option on recruitment.
“It happened quickly, when there was a release clause they know what it is, which they obviously did, and they activated it. Then it is a straightforward contractual situation other than medicals and stuff like that.
“Someone [at Newcastle United] knew what the clause was and they activated. He could have gone to anyone who is willing to meet it.
“That is the way it goes, you don’t want to lose good players at any time. If a contractual situation opens up and the player chooses they want to go then that is just a fact of contracts and the delicacy of them sometimes.
“There is no angle on Chris at all.
“He is a professional footballer, has done very well for the football club, an opportunity arose and he thought it through and decided it was right for him. That is football and being an individual footballer.
“There is absolutely no question marks in my mind at all, for what he has done here, the goals he scored, the way he performed, the way he has conducted himself and the way he has attempted to be successful here. He has been quieter this season than previous but generally he has done a very, very good job here.
“These are the things that happen in football, a contract situation opens up and in this case he has decided to go to that football club.”
Dyche on Wood’s ‘comfort zones’ comments:
“He has been performing for a long time and sometimes players do hit a quiet spell.
“It certainly wasn’t us allowing him to sit in his comfort zone.
“I understand him slightly, maybe he feels he needs a freshness and a difference.
“I found him an honest fella who knows when he is not doing as well as he can do.
“He knew he was quieter than what we expected from himself and from us.
“It was a clause in a contract, we weren’t pushing that to happen.
Dyche on how Burnley players have reacted to Wood’s departure:
“It is hard for me to judge because I have only just come back in.
“I would suggest they don’t want to see any good players leaving but equally they are rounded enough to have seen that before and to take the chance that comes their way because it does open up the door for others.”
