'It's not snobbery' - Darren Gough and Adrian Durham clash over potential exit for Burnley star

TalkSPORT duo Darren Gough and Adrian Durham have clashed over whether or not Burnley striker Chris Wood has what it takes to lead the line for a top six club in the Premier League.
Chris Wood of Burnley.  (Photo by Oli Scarff - Pool/Getty Images)Chris Wood of Burnley.  (Photo by Oli Scarff - Pool/Getty Images)
Chris Wood of Burnley. (Photo by Oli Scarff - Pool/Getty Images)

The New Zealand international took his tally to 10 league goals for the season with a stunning first-half hat-trick in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Wolves, and has drawn praise from manager Sean Dyche after reaching double figures for a fourth consecutive top flight campaign.

But former England cricketer Gough has argued that the 29-year-old has found his level at Turf Moor, and would struggle to make the step up to a bigger club.

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Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “He’s a good Premier League player, scoring goals, and I think Burnley is about where he’s at.

"If he’s happy there, and he’s getting a nice little contract, where else does he go? Does he go to a ‘Big Six’ club and not play?”

Durham responded: "Why wouldn’t he play?”

"Why would he?”, Gough replied.

"Looking at some of the players out there, there are some good players out there. Aubameyang can’t get a game at Arsenal at the minute.”

Durham was quick to challenge his colleague’s stance, however.

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"West Ham, for example, they could do with an orthodox striker – would he fit in there?

"At Chelsea, the manager clearly doesn’t fancy Tammy Abraham and Giroud’s not going to be there next season.

"I think Chris Wood is way more mobile than Giroud. If you’re looking to replace Giroud, for example…

"Chris Wood is playing and scoring for Burnley, and he’s into double figures for the fourth season running, so what’s to say he wouldn't do it at a Chelsea? “You’re saying he wouldn’t even get games, let alone score goals. Isn’t that an insult to him?”

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Gough hit back: "I don't think they’d sign him. I honestly don’t.

"It’s not snobbery, I just don’t think he’s the type of player who would get in at Chelsea. They want them to be a lot more mobile.

"Yes, he’s a threat, and there’s no doubt he’d score a goal whichever club he was at. If he was at Manchester United, I’m sure he’d score goals. There would be crosses coming in, he’s great in the air.

"He will get in positions to score goals, but he’s got to be careful. At this stage of his career, he wants to keep playing.

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"I’m not saying he’ll be at Burnley for the rest of his career, but he’ll always be around midtable in the Premier League.”

Speaking about his leading man after Sunday’s result, Dyche said: "Woody is still improving his hold up play and some of the simpler things - not simple, important but simple things - keeping the ball for the team…

"But he finds a way of scoring goals, and coaches and managers marvel at that.

"I've never lost faith in Woody, everyone knows that, he's on my teamsheet a hell of a lot."

Wood has hit 48 goals in 139 games for Burnley across all competitions since signing for the club.