In a remarkable season for the Clarets that has seen Vincent Kompany turn them into an exciting, young and success hungry project, the attack was spear headed by one dazzling young loan star.
Nathan Tella has directly contributed to 22 goals across 39 Championship games in this powerhouse Burnley side, ranking amongst the top goal involvements not just in his side, but also in the Championship itself.
Following his loan capture from Southampton, who have since been relegated from the Premier League, Tella has been utilised across the front three by Kompany, as well as in the attacking midfield position, all with consistent degrees of success.
Positions played by Nathan Tella across the 22/23 EFL Championship season:
| POSITION | GAMES | GOALS | ASSISTS |
| RW | 12 | 6 | 4 |
| LW | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| CAM | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| CF | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| LM | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| SS | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 39 | 17G+5A- 22 G/A | |
As demonstrated by the statistics shown above, when played in more attacking positions that give Tella freedom, he will produce a decent return.
When played in the deeper LM position, Tella didn’t partake in any goal involvements. He played in this position in three consecutive games, against West Brom away (1-1 draw), Preston away (1-1 draw) and Bristol City at home (2-1 win).
It’s also worth noting that in all the games Tella scored or assisted in, Burnley never lost.
| GAME | RESULT | INVOLVEMENT |
| BLACKPOOL (H) | 3-3 | 2G |
| WIGAN ATHLETIC (A) | 1-5 | 1G |
| CARDIFF CITY (A) | 1-1 | 1G |
| COVENTRY (A) | 0-1 | 1G |
| SUNDERLAND (A) | 2-4 | 1G |
| ROTHERHAM (H) | 3-2 | 1A |
| QPR (A) | 0-3 | 1G |
| BIRMINGHAM (H) | 3-0 | 1G |
| SWANSEA (A) | 1-2 | 1A |
| WEST BROM (H) | 2-1 | 1G |
| PRESTON (H) | 3-0 | 3G |
| HUDDERSFIELD (H) | 4-0 | 1A |
| WIGAN (H) | 3-0 | 2G |
| HULL (A) | 1-3 | 3G |
| MIDDLESBROUGH (A) | 1-2 | 1A |
| SHEFFIELD UNITED (H) | 2-0 | 1A |
A fruitful loan spell proved even more fruitful at the business end of the season, 36.4% of his goals coming in the final 10 games he played in, with 5 goals and 3 assists, including his second hattrick of the season against Hull City.
And it isn’t just direct goal involvements that Tella boasts, with impressive stats in all departments reflecting Kompany’s side’s transition into a fluid attacking team. 0.9 dribbles per game, 1.9 fouls drawn, 0.8 key passes and 1.8 shots per game highlight the technical trickery that the young Englishman brings to the game.
So what next for Tella?
Reports continually link him with a permanent move back to Turf Moor, with the Clarets keen to secure his services for the foreseeable future. However, with a breadth of young attacking talent and Championship bagsmen at Southampton, Tella could play a role in his parent club’s potential return to the Premier League, linking up with proven Championship finishers Adam Armstrong and Che Adams, whilst also balling out with young forward Sekou Mara.
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