Scott Parker must find Manuel Benson room in Burnley FC plans: View | OneFootball

Manuel Benson was a key player during the promotion-winning campaign - and Parker needs to find a role for him.

Scott Parker has a lot to sort out after taking charge of Burnley.

Although he already has a strong squad at his disposal, it seems clear that some players will need to be offloaded, either permanently or temporarily, before the summer transfer window closes.

With Bailey Peacock-Farrell now departing, there's less of a need to make a sale in the goalkeeping department, although Charlie Casper may be keen to secure first-team minutes.

A loan exit for him can't be ruled out - and it wouldn't be a surprise to see James Trafford leave with the keeper being heavily linked with a move to Newcastle United.

The centre-back department, however, is in need of chopping.

Dara O'Shea, Jordan Beyer, Hjalmar Ekdal, Ameen Al-Dahkil, Maxime Esteve, Hannes Delcroix, CJ Egan-Riley and Luke McNally are all currently available as options - and that's too many players for Parker to choose from if he plays a back four.

Players will need to be offloaded in this area, but additions will need to be made in the left-back area following Charlie Taylor's switch to Southampton.

One other area that needs to be looked at is the forward department, with Wout Weghorst's future uncertain at this point.

Depending on how many strikers Parker starts, at least one forward may find themselves surplus to requirements in the coming weeks.

Scott Parker has an exciting set of wing options at his disposal at Burnley

Parker looks to have some threatening options out wide. Nathan Redmond, Mike Tresor, Wilson Odebert and Luca Koleosho were all signed last summer, with Tresor making his loan move at Turf Moor permanent this summer.

Manuel Benson is another option, along with Darko Churlinov, Dara Costelloe and Anass Zaroury, although it wouldn't be a surprise to see North Macedonia international Churlinov leave the Lancashire side permanently in the coming weeks.

Benson and Zaroury are two players that didn't manage to secure much game time at Turf Moor last season, with the latter even going out on loan during the winter window, but both could have an important role to play during the 2024/25 campaign and beyond.

Scott Parker must find a key role for Manuel Benson at Burnley

Benson was exceptional during the 2022/23 promotion-winning season, making some valuable contributions as the Clarets managed to secure a Premier League return at the first time of asking.

His ability to cut in from the right-hand side and score screamers had the ability to change games and it was a long-range strike at Blackburn Rovers that allowed the Lancashire club to secure the Championship title.

That night alone will be enough for fans to view the winger in a positive light, even after he leaves, but it feels as though there's unfinished business for the Angola international.

He may not have played a big part last term and the likes of Odebert and Koleosho could be ahead of him in the pecking order next term, with the pair clearly promising young players.

It would be daft of Parker not to give the duo a real chance to shine, with both only likely to get better in the coming years.

However, Benson should also have a role to play, as someone who has shone at this level before.

Even if he doesn't start regularly, there should definitely be a place on the bench for the 27-year-old, who could be an excellent starting option if other wingers don't manage to step up to the plate and shine.

Parker may be keen to put his own stamp on the squad and recruiting someone like Jaidon Anthony, who he worked with at AFC Bournemouth, could be a good move.