The gamble on Michael Keane paid off, says Burnley boss Sean Dyche

Burnley manager Sean Dyche congratulates Burnley's English defender Michael Keane after the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Burnley at Selhurst Park on April 29, 2017. Burnley won the game 2-0.

Dyche, 49, saw huge potential in the FA Youth Cup winner, but questioned whether the young centre back was ready for the Premier League.

The gamble, however, paid off and Keane went on to make giant strides forward during his time at Turf Moor.

"He's a great lad," said Dyche. "I think a lot of him. He came into the game very young, which is really difficult for a centre half.

Sean Dyche, Manager of Burnley shakes hands with Michael Keane of Everton after the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Everton FC at Turf Moor on December 26, 2018 in Burnley, United Kingdom.

"I signed him as a youngster, and it was one I was questioned on, over would he be ready.

"And I knew at the time he might not have been quite Premier League ready but I admired the fact he’s handled himself so well as a young player."

Keane, who signed permanently for the Clarets in January 2015, made 21 appearances in his first season in the top flight as the club suffered the fall back to the Championship.

The centre back featured prominently the following term, contributing to 19 clean sheets and scoring crucial goals (against Brighton and Middlesbrough) during the club's 23-game unbeaten run en route to the title.

He continued to excel under Dyche's stewardship and earned his first call up for the Three Lions in 2016, prior to helping the Clarets secure Premier League survival.

Dyche said: "He came in and did fantastically well. He was a joy to watch in training, how he developed, and he took that out onto the pitch.

"And in the end the realities of the club meant that when a big fee came in for him he moved on. And I’ve always wished him well."

Keane had hurdles to overcome when making a record move to Everton during the summer of 2017.

It took Keane a little bit of time to readjust and just over 12 months ago he was dropped for both club and country.

The ex-Clarets defender, though, came back fighting and is now one of the first names on Carlo Ancelotti's team sheet.

After being rewarded with a new long-term contract in August, a deal that will keep Keane at Goodison Park until 2025, Dyche said: "I always try to send him the odd message and say 'hello' when I bump into him.

"He has had his challenges, but he seems to have overcome them because he’s just signed a long term contract.

"And he must have impressed this manager because he’s been playing regularly under him, which is usually a good sign. So good for him."