Burnley boss Sean Dyche not offended by James Tarkowski contract comments

The centre back, 28 today, said last week to The Telegraph: "We've had two transfer windows now where the club have decided, for whatever reason, that whatever has been offered on the table hasn't been enough and that's fine because I signed a contract for four-and-a-half years. So I won't whinge or not turn up, I just need to deal with it and get on with my football.

"But the longer my contract runs down, I feel I gain the control of my career more than Burnley having the control of it, which is what I feel like I need right now."

The quotes split the Burnley fanbase, with many understanding his point of view, wanting to play at as high a level as possible and reignite his England career, but others felt it could have been kept in-house.

Dyche, however, said: "I think players have a voice now, many media streams allow them to open up, and I'd never stop players from giving their opinion.

"It's just a reality of the modern game.

"I work with the players, I have good dialogue with Tarky and his agent, when needed, good dialogue with all of our players, and they have a view, simple as that.

"It's certainly one of the ways the game has changed.

"But I didn't think it was anything untoward, just a view of the situation.

"Players will be demanding more out of their contracts going forwards, that's why he's in the Premier League, it's just a fact of the situation.

"I think it's just a reality.

"I think players have a different openness to them now with all the different media streams.

"He got asked questions and answered them honestly, it seems, and all players have a value of worth.

"If he feels his is not at the right level, that's sometimes the way it is.

"I certainly had mine when I was a player, a value of myself I thought was appropriate, about a tenner!

"But these situations sometimes occur.

"No problems with Tarky, he's a very good professional for us, a top player in my opinion - I've said it for months, I'm amazed he's not involved in the England scene, I think he should be.

"But that doesn't affect him working hard to give performances for himself, the team and the club.

"I don't think that will change one bit."

Burnley, and Dyche's stance remains the same, that there is no need to sell players, unless any deal makes sense for the club, and Dyche added: "Our approach has always been the same, clear from myself at least, we've never been actively looking to sell players, we've had to many moons ago, but it's a long time since now.

"I think we've been trying to keep our top players here, certainly I've been encouraging the club to, but there is always a contractual view.

"Players have a right to say what they think at times, and certainly through their agents, when dealing with the club on the financial side of things.

"Every player will apply a true value of worth, if clubs can meet that, things carry on, if they can't, they'll look at it again.

"That's nothing new to Tarky, just standard football practice."

And he expects him to be as good as his word and continue to give his all for the club: "He's a very good pro, I trust all my players, they try and be open, I'd never ask them not to say certain things in the media, it's down to them, and they have been very respectful.

"I don't think there was anything other than what he felt was an appropriate moment in time, so he gave a view."