'Slow burner' Charlie Taylor is hitting his stride ahead of return to Leeds United

Sean Dyche feels ‘slow burner’ Charlie Taylor is beginning to hit his straps again.
Charlie TaylorCharlie Taylor
Charlie Taylor

On Sunday, Taylor returns to Leeds United for the first time since leaving Elland Road for Turf Moor in the summer of 2017.

And Dyche feels he goes there back in top form.

Taylor, who made his 100th appearance for the Clarets in the goalless draw at Aston Villa last Thursday, was Sky Sports’ man of the match in Monday evening’s 2-1 win over Wolves at Turf Moor.

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The former England Under 19 international produced a superb cross after a lung-busting run, for Ashley Barnes to head home to the first goal, and his defensive work also caught the eye, as he kept the likes of Daniel Podence, Pedro Neto and then Adama Traore quiet.

Asked about his form, Dyche – who has previously expressed his opinion that Taylor could knock on the dorr of the England squad – said: “He is a really good player.

“The thing we have to keep developing with Chaz is that he is a slow burner.

“At the beginning of a season, it seems to take him a bit to get going, but when he does get going he is a really good player.

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“We want him to get in the habit of playing forward more rather than recycling, and when he does that he is quick, strong and can play.”

York-born Taylor was a junior at Leeds before signing as a scholar in the summer of 2010.

He ended his first year as a scholar by turning professional, signing a three-year contract in May 2011, and, after loan spells with Bradford City, York City, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Fleetwood Town, went on to establish himself in the side at Leeds, over three seasons, making 104 appearances.

Out of contract, but under the age of 24, he joined Burnley in 2017, with the clubs finally agreeing compensation between £6-7m, avoiding the need for a tribunal.

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He has since become a Clarets centurion, and played in Europe at the start of the 2018/19 season.

And Dyche added: “He’s done well.

“He continues to improve, I think he can still attack in better areas at times, because he’s a really good athlete, and see the picture probably quicker in the attacking format.

“But, you saw a couple of brilliant blocks, brilliant tackles (at Aston Villa), he’s a very good defender, he’s quick and strong, a good size, so I think he’s developing well still.”