Brownhill Blasts Southampton For Not Recalling Nigeria-Born Tella From Burnley Loan

Brownhill Blasts Southampton For Not Recalling Nigeria-Born Tella From Burnley Loan

Ibraheem Lateef

Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill has admitted he was ‘shocked’ that Saints opted not to recall Nigeria-born Nathan Tella in the January transfer window while calling the attacker arguably the best player in the Championship, BSNSports.com.ng has sourced.

Searching for consistent first-team opportunities, Tella who is eligible to play for Nigeria owing to the origin of his father, departed St Mary’s in the summer for Burnley where he has excelled as a crucial part of Vincent Kompany’s Clarets.

Needing a point to officially confirm promotion back to the Premier League on Friday against Middlesbrough, Burnley emerged 2-1 victors to crown a hugely impressive season.

Chosen as man of the match, Tella assisted his side’s winner and speaking to the Daily Mail, teammate Brownhill questioned Saints decision to allow the forward to stay at Turf Moor for the full season.

“I was shocked they didn’t take him back in January but selfishly very happy,” Brownhill said. “He has arguably been the best player in the Championship.”

Burnley’s top scorer this season, Tella has notched 17 Championship goals while adding four assists primarily playing as a winger.

Saints had the option to recall Tella in January but decided against it with the 23-year-old himself saying that then-manager Nathan Jones never got in touch to discuss the possibility.

With Burnley heading back to the Premier League and the fate of Saints very much uncertain, it remains to be seen where Tella will be playing his football next season.

But with two more years on his contract at St Mary’s, Saints will feel in control of the situation.