Roberts: Vincent’s inspiring
Turkey Wales Group D, Tomorrow, 7.45pm
vBURNLEY defender Connor Roberts says boss Vincent Kompany has revolutionised his understanding of football.
The Clarets full-back rates Kompany so highly he expects the Manchester City legend to eventually end up managing his old club.
Roberts is on international duty with Wales preparing to face Turkey tomorrow night in Euro 2024 qualifying.
But he had his eyes this week on the release of the Premier League fixtures, which have given promoted Burnley a trip to the champions on August 11 to kick off the new season.
It is a daunting opener after Burnley lost 6-0 to City in the FA Cup last season, but Roberts is confident Kompany will have Burnley well-drilled after the Belgian penned a new deal.
Roberts,27, said: “He is a brilliant manager and, as a player, you just want consistency in the environment and in your performances.
“To know they are going to be there, going forwards, is brilliant because you learn so much from them.
“I thought I knew quite a lot about football, about how to play and what to do.
“But this season, working with them, I know a lot more.
“If you look at that Burnley squad, every single player knows what to do if they were asked to play.
“I think Vincent will eventually go and have that City job one day.
“I watch City and, obviously, we aren’t them, but I see massive similarities in the way we are asked to play.”
Roberts, who joined Burnley in August 2021 from Swansea, has enjoyed working with Kompany so much he is now even considering being a coach himself on day.
He added: “I said that to Ben Davies the other day.
“I had no interest in being a coach or a manager before, but, working with Vincent and his staff, I feel like I really know a lot more about football now, so I might want to see if I can do it as well.
“But that is maybe something for a later date.”