Burnley FC: Player return may force Scott Parker into Hannibal Mejbri call - View | OneFootball

The Clarets' summer signing may be dropped at a more creative expense 😬

Burnley made Hannibal Mejbri one of their marquee signings in the summer transfer window, with Scott Parker's men aiming to return to the top flight at the first time of asking under the former Fulham boss but the Tunisian could be dropped in favour of a more attacking starlet in the returning Aaron Ramsey to fix their goalscoring problems.

Mejbri made the move from Manchester United in the summer after seeing his first-team appearances at Old Trafford become few and far between, with just 13 games for the Red Devils in his professional career hindering his progression. The 21-year-old had previously spent a campaign on loan at Birmingham City in the 2022/23 season, scoring once and assisting six goals, and so his Championship proficiency is well known.

But Burnley have struggled for goals whilst he's been at Turf Moor, with the club scoring just five goals in that time. That is not going to be enough to sustain a promotion challenge as the campaign continues and with Ramsey returning from injury, Hannibal could be dropped in the process.

Ramsey has been out for some time since suffering a serious injury against Arsenal back in February, but he returned to first-team training in September and with the international break set to go on for another week, it may not be long until the midfielder is back in action before perhaps the end of the month - even though Parker has ruled out a return for their following game vs Sheffield Wednesday.

Why Scott Parker could drop marquee signing Hannibal

Hannibal has typically lined up in the hole behind striker Lyle Foster but having failed to record a goal contribution in his six starts, Burnley would perhaps have expected something in return as one of the better sides in the division who boast top-quality players and a fair share of possession at second-tier level.

Josh Brownhill could be used as the more attacking midfield outlet, with the Warrington-born midfielder being the Clarets' top goalscorer with four goals so far this campaign, but their captain is also more than adept in the centre of the park by being combative, vocal and boasting vital experience in the engine room.

Josh Cullen, who tends to feature as the deep-lying playmaker in midfield, is also undroppable as he boasts a profile that none of their current midfield options offer in terms of ball retention and control in the final third - and that leaves Josh Laurent as the back-up option in central midfield.

But Burnley are struggling for creativity, and for all the quality that Hannibal and Brownhill can bring in the final third, it just isn't enough at times. That, coupled with Ramsey's return, could see Hannibal dropped with the lack of Brownhill's experience being detrimental.

Aaron Ramsey has thrived in the Championship before

Ramsey spent time on loan at Norwich City and Middlesbrough in the 2022/23 season, and whilst he didn't exactly fare well for Burnley in the Premier League with the Clarets, his output in the Championship - mainly for Middlesbrough - will give Parker something to think about.

Regularly featuring across the front three for Norwich, Ramsey picked up three goals and assists for the Canaries before a knee injury over the World Cup break forced him out of David Wagner's plans.

Middlesbrough took him on a loan deal, and Michael Carrick got him firing with five goals and one assist in just 11 games on Teesside. If he can replicate that form for Burnley, there is no doubt that the Aston Villa academy graduate will be a huge addition to their ranks.