POPE: IT'S A BIG CHALLENGE BUT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT

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Goalkeeper Nick Pope looks ahead to this weekend's visit to Stamford Bridge

2021-11-05T11:00:00.000Z

POPE: IT'S A BIG CHALLENGE BUT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT

Goalkeeper Nick Pope looks ahead to this weekend's visit to Stamford Bridge

2021-11-05T11:00:00.000Z

Goalkeeper Nick Pope looks ahead to this weekend's visit to Stamford Bridge

Shot-stopper Nick Pope believes ‘breath of fresh air’ Maxwel Cornet’s impact both on and off the pitch can spearhead Burnley’s ascent up the table.

Pope helped the Clarets to their first top-flight win of the season last weekend as Cornet scored the third goal in a 3-1 triumph over Brentford.

The former Lyon ace has adapted seamlessly to life in English football and already racked up four goals in his first five appearances.

Pope has loved watching Cornet, 25, take English football by storm and hopes the dressing room favourite can propel Sean Dyche’s team to victory at table-toppers Chelsea this weekend.

The Burnley number one said: “He’s been a real breath of fresh air.

“I’ve really enjoyed having him on the training ground with us, and in the building. He’s someone who’s come in to a new way of life, a new team and is someone whose introduction to the team couldn’t have gone much better.

“He’s four or five goals in now and seems like he’s enjoying the challenge on the pitch – and enjoying the challenge off the pitch.

“All the lads love him to bits, so we’re pleased to have him.

POPE: IT'S A BIG CHALLENGE BUT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT - Image 1

“It was nice to win again [at the weekend]. We’re taking our chances and creating even more chances – it felt like something that had been on the horizon for a while.

“It was a good performance and something that we need to build on.

“We need to carry on how we are. Before the weekend, we put in a lot of positive performances without getting the right result, so I think it’s important to look after ourselves and concentrate on what’s been working well for us.

“We’re going to carry on with the work we’ve been putting in, look to do it again and get on the right side of a result.”

Dyche’s team had been unable to convert positive performances into points this season but ended that run in style at Turf Moor last weekend.

Chris Wood, Matt Lowton and that man Cornet all netted as the Clarets moved up to seven points in the Premier League table.

They now travel to reigning European champions Chelsea looking to cause a major upset and build on Saturday’s well-deserved triumph.

Dyche led his team to an unforgettable 3-2 victory at Stamford Bridge on the first day of the 2017-18 season as a Sam Vokes double, and one from Stephen Ward, stunned Antonio Conte’s defending champions.

Burnley have claimed some memorable top-flight scalps over the years and Pope insists they have what it takes to craft another chapter in the club’s giant-killing history books this weekend.

Asked if the Clarets can go to west London and grab a result, he said: “Of course.

“We’ve won there, we’ve won at Anfield, Old Trafford and the Emirates – it’s not something that we’re alien to doing, is something we’ve done before and something we enjoy doing.

“It’s a difficult challenge – they’ve won the Champions League and there’s no denying that. But we’ve been in the Premier League for a few years now, we know what we’re good at and what it takes to get a result at these places.

“It’s a big challenge and one we’re looking forward to.”