Dyche delighted at recognition for Burnley’s Keane

Michael Keane is in impressive company as a PFA Young Player of the Year nominee, but Burnley manager Sean Dyche believes his defender is more than deserving of the honour.

The 24-year-old is joined on the shortlist by Dele Alli, Romelu Lukaku, Harry Kane, Leroy Sane and Jordan Pickford – a quintet that have enjoyed stellar seasons for their particular clubs.

But Keane is far from the odd one out, himself a key part of Burnley’s impressive campaign which has so far avoided the threat of relegation.

An England debut also came the way of the centre-half this term, with Dyche delighted of his development having made promises to a man who left Manchester United to take up the chance at Turf Moor.

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“He’s in good company, that’s for sure, and I think he deserves to be in that company,” said Dyche.

“I think he’s having a very strong season. He has developed well over the past two-and-a-half seasons and I’m pleased, because part of my sales pitch to get him here was that he is in a group that will develop and he will be a big part of that.

“So I’m pleased from our point of view that’s rung true for him.”

“He deserves a lot of credit. Team is the most important thing but there are still individuals within it who have to perform and have to perform well, and he has certainly done that.

“He knows he’s in a group that helps him enhance himself and I know he respects that.

“Well done to him. He’s performed very well this season, and last season, and he’s gradually been growing and improving all the time.”