Millwall return for Burnley's Zian Flemming debated - 'cautious' claim dropped | OneFootball

The Dutchman has fallen out of favour in the Premier League

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Zian Flemming sealed a permanent switch to Burnley this summer following a successful season-long loan from Millwall.

The deal, understood to be worth around £7 million, was triggered after the Dutchman played a central role in guiding the Clarets back to the Premier League.

Flemming had been a talismanic figure at The Den after joining from Fortuna Sittard in 2022.

Across two seasons in South London, he contributed 29 goals in all competitions, was named Millwall’s Player of the Season in 2022/23, and regularly operated as the creative heartbeat in the side.

That influence carried over to his spell in Lancashire - albeit in a slightly more advanced role than at Millwall.

Flemming often led the line for Burnley in the Championship last season, registering 14 goals in all competitions as the Clarets clinched second place behind Leeds United and secured automatic promotion.

Zian Flemming’s Premier League struggles could open door for Millwall return

Despite that impact, the step up to the top flight has proven more challenging.

Flemming has seen just 20 minutes of Premier League football under Scott Parker so far this campaign, with Lyle Foster and Armando Broja both ahead of him in the striking hierarchy.

In light of this, Football League World spoke with resident Millwall expert Lucas Ball for his thoughts on if the Lions should eye a return for Flemming in January should his situation remained unchanged in the North West.

“It's one I'm not sure on, to be fair. He played up front a lot more for Burnley last year than as an attacking midfielder, which is where he spent most of his time with us,” Ball told FLW.

“We've not used a number 10 too often this season so far, we did in the second half against Charlton when we made some changes - but barring that, not too much.

“Even on Tuesday, we did change shape, but ended up playing a 5-2-3, obviously with kind of wingers either side of a centre forward.

“So yeah, potentially - I still think we are a little bit light up front personally. 
Obviously, Kevin Nisbet moved on at the back end of the window and Macaulay Langstaff still hasn't really done it at Championship level - and is out injured at the moment anyway. As I think is AJ Matthews, who's the kind of young striker coming through.

“Maybe partly out of necessity rather than anything else we've played with just one up top on Tuesday night, just as to not risk both strikers at the same time but yeah, it's potentially one that we could look at.

“Slightly cautious of going back sometimes, particularly in the way that Zian left. It wasn't a horrible departure or anything, but he certainly made it very clear, I think, that he wanted to leave and move on - which good luck to him, wanted to progress his career and through Burnley had a better chance of doing that and to some degree, it's obviously worked out.

“But, he's finding game time slightly limited. He's not worked with Alex Neil. It's certainly not a move I'd hate,
I'm just slightly cautious of going back.

“But there's obviously a quality player in there, and if we could get that out of him again - the sort of season that he had in his first season with us would be brilliant, really.

“We'll have to wait and see how his game time progresses, I guess, in the coming weeks and months, but I'm sure it's one that might be on the club's radar anyway.”

Zian Flemming’s availability might be perfect timing for Millwall in January transfer window

For Millwall, the idea of bringing Flemming back on loan is not straightforward, but it carries obvious logic. Neil’s squad, while competitive, lacks true depth in attacking areas.

Mihailo Ivanovic and Josh Coburn remain reliable focal points, though Ivanovic is likely to attract further external interest, while Macaulay Langstaff’s fitness and form at Championship level remain in question.

That leaves the Lions vulnerable, and Flemming’s potential availability in January could present an opportunity to add a proven product without the need for a financial gamble.

His return would carry emotional weight, but the more pertinent issue is whether Millwall could recreate the conditions that allowed him to flourish so effectively during his first spell.

If they can, then a short-term reunion could be mutually beneficial: a player seeking rhythm and relevance in the Premier League, and a club in need of a creative, goalscoring presence to bridge the gap between ambition and reality.