Vincent Kompany is excited about Wilson Odobert’s potential after watching the teenager score on his full debut for Burnley in a 4-0 Carabao Cup win over League Two Salford.
The 18-year-old had already tested home goalkeeper Alex Cairns on a couple of occasions before crowning a comfortable win for Burnley with his 81st-minute strike, collecting a cross from the impressive Anass Zaroury and cutting back inside before firing home.
It was only Odobert’s second appearance in a Burnley shirt following his summer move from Troyes and while Kompany will not rush the young Frenchman, the manager wants him to be making a regular contribution soon as the Clarets look to turn around their Premier League form.
“We talk about the team settling and stuff and as I’ve told you, some of the guys who will be the heroes for us this season, you don’t see them but I see them in training and we have to be prepared for them to come into the team,” Kompany said.
“Guys like Wilson are these type of guys. You can see the talent. It’s a matter of time. Is it tomorrow? Is it in a week or a month’s time? We don’t know. We’ll go with them.
“Just like Luca Koleosho, we’ve some exciting players and hopefully they’ll be able to show it very soon for us. We’ll need it.”
Kompany made 11 changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Manchester United on Saturday as he continues to marshal a 34-strong squad and figure out his best combinations.
But even with so many changes, it still felt like a strong selection. Vitinho returned from injury, Odobert made his first start and Jack Cork got only his second run out of the campaign, starting in defence, but most of those involved have already featured regularly this term.
After bringing in 13 new faces this summer, Burnley still need time to gel, as has been reflected by their winless start to the Premier League season. A cup win over a side struggling near the bottom of League Two is only a small step forward, but progress all the same.
“We’ve got a lot of players still gelling together and I don’t think players would have played together as a team,” Kompany said. “Seeing a collective performance is more important than just seeing the individuals for me.”
He added of that gelling process: “It’s not something that’s abnormal. We knew it was part of something that was going to happen and we had it last year. In that sense, it’s not different.
“The level of opposition of course is different but you work hard on the training ground and after every game to make sure the team gets to the level it needs to be at as quickly as possible. You also enjoy that side of it. That’s why we’re coaches…
“It’s still early days for a lot of these guys but in the end, if the collective is robust then you can make adaptations. We prioritised game time – Corky played at centre back as if he had played there for the last 10 years.
“But when you look after the ball and when you have strikers and wingers who can be dangerous, it always gives you a chance to spread the load across the team.”
Honduras defeats French Guiana 3-2 in Nations League thriller
Honduras secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over French Guiana in a thrilling encounter at the Stade Municipal Dr. Edmard Lama in Remire-Montjoly, French Guiana, as they climbed to second place in Group B of the CONCACAF Nations League.
The match got off to a lively start with Honduras nearly taking an early lead in the 8th minute. Edwin Rodríguez found himself with a great chance inside the box, but his volley was met by an impressive save from French Guiana goalkeeper Donovan Leon. The hosts responded seven minutes later when Ansley Panelle unleashed a powerful long-range strike, but Honduras goalkeeper Edrick Menjivar was equal to the task, keeping the scoreline level.
As the first half wore on, Honduras began to impose themselves on the game. Their persistence paid off just before halftime when Anthony Lozano gave Los Catrachos the lead in the 45th+1 minute. Lozano calmly finished from the center of the box after a well-placed assist from Rigoberto Rivas, giving the visitors a crucial advantage heading into the break.
French Guiana, however, came out strong in the second half and found an equalizer in the 56th minute. Raphaël Galas latched onto a loose ball inside the box and fired home to restore parity for the home side, sending the local fans into a frenzy.
But Honduras was quick to respond, regaining the lead in the 67th minute through Deybi Flores, who rose high to head in a corner delivery, putting the visitors back in control. Just seven minutes later, they extended their lead when Jorge Benguché finished across goal after a perfect through ball from Jorge Álvarez, giving Honduras a comfortable 3-1 cushion.
Despite the deficit, French Guiana refused to give up. In stoppage time, Jules Haabo scored a late consolation goal in the 90th+4 minute, but it wasn't enough to prevent Honduras from claiming all three points with a 3-2 final scoreline.
The win propels Honduras into second place in Group B of the CONCACAF Nations League, as they continue their pursuit of qualification to the next stage.
Reggae Boyz battle to 2-0 victory over Nicaragua to maintain leadership of Group B
Jamaica defeated Nicaragua 2-nil at Estadio Nacional in Managua, Nicaragua.
The visitors took the lead in minute 32 through and own goal from Nicaragua’s Josué Quijano.
Juan Barrera came close to tying the match for Nicaragua in minute 27 with a potent left-footed shot from long distance, but his attempt was denied by Jamaica’s goalkeeper Andre Blake.
Jamaica extended its lead in the 69th minute through a finish from Romario Williams from close range following a corner kick.
In the 88th minute, two saves in quick succession from Blake prevented Nicaragua from equalizing. Blake subsequently closed out the match with six saves to secure a second clean sheet this Nations League campaign.
With the win, the Reggae Boyz maintain the lead in first place in Group B.
Group B will resume Monday, with Jamaica facing Honduras in a battle for the top spot. Trinidad and Tobago will host Cuba, while Nicaragua will receive French Guiana.
Palmer and Maresca scoop Premier League awards for September
Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Enzo Maresca have been named the Premier League's Player and Manager of the Month for September.
The Blues won three of their four league games last month, propelling them to fourth place and four points behind leaders Liverpool, who they face next Sunday.
One of those victories included a 4-2 win over Brighton, a game that saw Palmer become the first player in Premier League history to score four goals before half-time.
He also became only the second Blues player after Frank Lampard in 2008 (against Derby) and 2010 (against Aston Villa) to net four times in two different games in the top flight.
The England international also leads the division for goal involvements this term (11 - six goals, five assists), with his 23 chances created, a total only bettered by Bukayo Saka (27).
Palmer has now won two of the last three Premier League Player of the Month awards, with only Lampard (four) winning more for the Blues than the 22-year-old (two).
Maresca made September’s shortlist along with Mikel Arteta, Arne Slot, Unai Emery and Marco Silva, and came out on top after votes from both the public and a panel of experts.
In doing so, the Italian has become the first Chelsea head coach since Thomas Tuchel in October 2021 to win the Manager of the Month award.
"We had a very good month," Maresca said. "We all need people around us to make things better.
"I'm very grateful to have all of them [his staff].
"We are always looking at new things and how we can improve from different football and different countries."
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