Reports of Peter Crouch’s move to Burnley have been officially confirmed by the Clarets today. The fee is yet to be confirmed however it is believed to be around the £7 million mark with Sam Vokes also going to Stoke in the deal.
Interestingly, Crouch has only scored one goal this season in 23 appearances (only two of these have been starts), while Vokes has scored three in 20 appearances. From the face of the transfer, it thus seems like a bit of a gamble and may even be considered a downgrade. Yet Crouch (now 38) has been fighting against the odds for years now, pushing his body to continue his career for as long as possible.
From scoring overhead kicks in the Champions League to busting out the famous robot celebration, Crouch needs no introduction. He has an enormous amount of experience at the highest level and this signing will double up as a very useful backup as well as a vital voice in the changing room. He has scored 22 goals for England in 42 games and once the move is completed will also have played for seven different Premier League clubs.
Burnley are no strangers to signing older players and Sean Dyche even justified the decision to sign Crouch by stating: “What interests me is motivated players”.
Michael Duff was one of those for us at 37 and I think Peter Crouch is the same”. Dyche is clearly aware of the criticism he may face in signing an older player but he will not be the oldest outfield player in the Premier League with Bruno of Brighton taking the title of oldest outfield player who turned 38 in October.
Burnley fans can now look forward to increased direct football being played late on in games when Crouch comes on as a substitute. Assuming Crouch will not be starting many games ahead of Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood, Dyche can utilise the kind of scrappy and chaotic football that all neutral fans love with Crouch; particularly if it means the robot will be consequently pulled out.
