Burnley
manager Sean Dyche insists the club have no bad blood with Chelsea after the
clash between Ashley Barnes and Nemanja Matic last weekend.
Barnes’ high challenge on Matic during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Stamford
Bridge went unpunished by both the referee and the FA, while Matic has been
banned for two games after being sent off for his reaction.
Dyche, whose relegation-threatened side face Swansea on Saturday, insists
Barnes has coped well with being thrust into the spotlight this week and he
does not have problem with Jose Mourinho.
The Clarets boss said: “Our relationship with Chelsea hasn’t changed. They
have a fantastic manager, they’re a fantastic club and have fantastic
players, and these are just flash points that can happen in football.
“Every manager works on behalf of his players and the squad and they have
the right to conduct themselves in any way they see fit. I have my way of
working and I choose that, as have others.
“Ashley’s been good. It’s not ideal but we know how things get blown up very
quickly at this level, particularly when the powerful people in the game
give big opinions and the media run with it.
“But it’s an interesting part of his learning curve and it’s not something
that’s come his way before – I’m pretty sure of that. He’s a steady lad and
he’s been doing tremendously for us.
“The lads have all been round him, as have the staff, so onwards and upwards
for him. I hope he just plays with the freedom he has been doing.”
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