Brentford can bring even more out of Anthony, says Burnley journalist | OneFootball

Jaidon Anthony arrives at Brentford having already shown his quality in the Premier League, but Burnley Express reporter Matt Scrafton believes there is still more to come from the Bees’ new forward.

The 26-year-old joined the west Londoners from Burnley on Tuesday, putting pen to paper on a four-year contract with a club option of a further year.

Anthony scored 17 goals and registered 11 assists in 81 appearances across two seasons at Turf Moor, helping the Clarets win promotion to the Premier League before impressing again in the top flight last term.

Scrafton provides the lowdown on the London-born winger, explains why Burnley fans are sad to see him go, and discusses how Brentford can help him reach another level.

After Burnley’s relegation, do you think a move away was always on the cards for Jaidon?

Yes, probably. Last season was his first full season in the Premier League. He had been there before with Bournemouth, but he had been in and out and had not really got a full season under his belt.

Having spoken to him, he felt the pressure that last season was the season he had to deliver and, despite Burnley’s struggles, he still managed to perform.

He did really well in the first season too, when he was on loan, but I do not think too many fans have any qualms about him staying in the Premier League, and he wants that as well.

Numbers-wise, he had two pretty good returns over the two seasons at Turf Moor, didn’t he?

Yes, really good numbers. Last season was a bit of an up-and-down season, but he finished it really well.

He scores goals, but he assists as well and is involved in a lot of the play.

He is very diligent, so even if he is not involved in every attacking phase, he is always at least a solid 7/10 and he is very reliable too.

How would you describe him as a player?

The first thing to look out for is his first touch - it is exceptional. It is probably an outlandish claim, but I would probably say it is up there with some of the best players in the Premier League. He showed that with the number of times a 50-yard ball was pinged over, and he brought it down and it stuck to his foot.

He can play on both sides, but is predominantly a left-winger who cuts in, as most wingers do these days. Often, he plays a one-two and gets behind or cuts back and delivers a cross.

As a finisher, he can still improve, which is a compliment when you think of the goals he has scored. He can still go to another level in that respect. He is a real team player as well and Scott Parker liked that.

Would you say this deal is a good one for both parties?

There has been a mixed reaction from Burnley fans. I think they thought the fee was slightly low in terms of Premier League numbers nowadays; but, at the same time, after getting relegated, Burnley need the money and I would say most think it represents a pretty good deal.

For Brentford, when you are looking for a winger who has been there and done it, it is not often you pay the amount they have. I think it is quite sensible.

How do Burnley fans feel about him leaving?

Disappointed but not surprised, as it has been on the cards for a little while. The fans are realistic and knew the club would have to sell four or five of their better players, and Anthony is one of those.

They are sad to see him go, but pretty realistic. They know the club’s standing in the game as a bit of a yo-yo club at the minute so, when they go down, if they get that sort of money for a player who has given two years’ good service and he gets a good move for his career, they will say fair play.

What is he like as a person, when you’ve come into contact with him?

He is an absolutely lovely guy. Really lovely. One of the nicest I have come across, especially recently, at Burnley. He is softly-spoken and really friendly.

There were a group of three or four players that got on really well and he was really popular in the dressing room.

He's a nice down-to-Earth lad. That is probably another reason Burnley fans were not too angry at the deal.

He is coming to his physical peak now - do you think there is still room for improvement?

I think so, yes. This is his first time with an established Premier League club, so he has to add another element to his game and I think Brentford can bring more out of him with coaching.

I do not think he is coming in as the finished article and there is more to come. When I spoke to Scott Parker, who had him at Bournemouth, he spoke about the development he had seen in that time as well.

It will be interesting to see how he is utilised, but he is certainly a useful option and a good character to have in the trenches who will not let you down.

Hopefully he can kick on and get even better.