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Richard Keys has accused Burnley manager Vincent Kompany of using ‘stupid’ tactics this season.
Kompany’s side are languishing in 19th place in the Premier League and have won just two of their 17 matches.
The Clarets lost 2-0 at home to Everton (managed by former Burnley boss Sean Dyche) on Saturday and Keys believes that Kompany is naive to persist with an open, attacking style of football.
However, Keys stated that Kompany won’t be able to succeed Pep Guardiola if his Burnley side continue to struggle.
Richard Keys has accused Burnley boss Vincent Kompany of using ‘stupid’ tactics
Keys feels that Kompany is naive in attempting to play attacking football in the Premier League
Speaking on beINSPORTS, Keys said: ‘I really don’t know what it’s going to take for him to realise that Burnley are not going to play their way out of trouble in the Premier League. They’re just not.
‘I think he’s using this as an interview for the Manchester City job. If he can convince enough people that he plays football ‘the right way’ then he’s in line to replace Pep Guardiola at some time. But it’s not going to happen, Vincent, because you don’t play football the right way. It’s the wrong way – and the reaction on the final whistle tells him that, surely!’
Andy Gray suggested that Kompany shouldn’t attempt to play attacking football when he doesn’t have the calibre of players to do so.
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Gray added: ‘If he had the players from the equivalent of the top six in the league then he might be able to get away playing like he does. You have to cut your cloth to suit. There is no use saying ‘I haven’t got the most gifted footballers, but they can do what Manchester City do’. No they can’t, or ‘they can do what Arsenal do’. No they can’t.
‘That’s why they play for Burnley, because they can’t do it. It’s almost naïve. I didn’t think I’d use that word with Kompany, because he’s been in this league long enough, he should know the league. But it’s almost naïve to come up and think you can do the same thing you did in the Championship with inferior players to the ones you’re going to come up against…’
Keys subsequently said: ‘I’m more frustrated than you. I’ll give you a different word: stupid. It really is.’
Kompany received much praise for gaining promotion to the Premier League with Burnley, with his team playing in an attractive manner.
However, that style hasn’t worked anywhere near as well in the top flight and Kompany may need to show some flexibility if Burnley are to avoid going straight back down.
Keys believes Kompany is looking to audition for the job at his former club Manchester City
Kompany is held in high esteem at City having excelled at the club as a player.
However, the former defender still has some way to go if he is to eventually succeed Pep Guardiola as City manager.
