EGAN-RILEY 'I'LL GIVE 100% WEEK IN, WEEK OUT'

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Young defender reflects on his start to the 2024/25 campaign

2024-10-18T09:30:00.000Z

EGAN-RILEY 'I'LL GIVE 100% WEEK IN, WEEK OUT'

Young defender reflects on his start to the 2024/25 campaign

2024-10-18T09:30:00.000Z

Young defender reflects on his start to the 2024/25 campaign

Defender CJ Egan-Riley admits he doesn't mind playing either centre-back or full-back for Scott Parker's side but insists he will give '100% week in, week out' when wearing the Claret and Blue shirt.

The 21-year-old had only played for the Clarets six times in total across the last two seasons since joining in the summer of 2022, but the former Manchester City youngster already has seven league appearances to his name this term and has been an integral figure in a defence that has kept three consecutive clean sheets.

Speaking to Clarets+ ahead of the trip to Sheffield this weekend, Egan-Riley said: "I think it's been a huge positive for me to finally get out there in a Burnley shirt and show the fans what I can do.

"I'm really enjoying my football and personally it's been a good start to the season for me. I think as a team we're in a good position, we're not losing games, of course we want to stack up more wins, but I feel like every week we are building and getting better.

"At the moment, I'm just happy to be out there every week and playing where I can to help the team. Whether that be centre-back, full-back or even midfield, I am going to give 100% week in, week out, no matter what position I am playing."

Egan-Riley played alongside Joe Worrall in the win over Portsmouth at full-back, before playing next to Bashir Humphreys at Oxford and then most recently partnering Maxime Estève in central defence and the versatile defender says he relishes learning from each one and playing alongside them.

"They're all great defenders. Obviously, they all have their own individual characteristics, and they are all different in their own way, but they have all been great to play alongside.

"I feel like I have built really good relationships with them on the pitch, but also off the pitch as well and I think you can see it from the outside too."

EGAN-RILEY 'I'LL GIVE 100% WEEK IN, WEEK OUT' - Image 1

Burnley have clocked up five clean sheets in the opening nine games of the season, the second most in the Championship and Egan-Riley has been part of the side that have secured three in the last three fixtures.

"I think it starts at the top of the pitch. Obviously, when you hear clean sheet, most people say that the defenders and the goalkeepers must be doing well.

"But for us, it starts at the top of the pitch with the pressing and then the midfielders' winning battles and keeping the ball away from us. It's not just defending; it really is a collective effort as a group."

The Clarets return to action this weekend, when Parker's men take on Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough and Egan-Riley is 'buzzing' to be back on the pitch after a two week break since the last game.

"We haven't had a game for a few weeks now, so I'm buzzing to get back out there this weekend and show what we have been working on over the break in training.

"Obviously, there's some of the international boys that have been away, but they're back now and I'm sure will be raring to go as well. Hopefully we can get the win for the fans."