ESTÉVE “I LOVE THE CLUB & THE FANS”

Centre-back reflects on Seagulls draw

In wet and windy conditions at Turf Moor, defender Maxime Estève said he was proud of the Clarets mentality and the energy they showed in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Josh Brownhill put the home side ahead in the 74th minute, before an Aro Muric own goal brought the Seagulls level just five minutes later.

On the equaliser the Frenchman said: “It’s very cruel. We gave so much power and energy in this game. But that’s football and we’ll continue to try another game.”

The Clarets started brightly and came close to going ahead twice through Jacob Bruun Larsen and David Datro Fofana.

“We had so much opportunity to score. It’s football, in another game David scores, Jacob scores. All confidence in them though, we love them, we have full confidence in the team.”

In a performance with plenty of positive signs, it was substitute Josh Brownhill who put the team ahead. Did the 21-year-old feel that a goal was on its way?

“Yes, Josh is a hard worker. He likes pressing and the goal is very good for the team. Josh has a very good mentality and when he enters the game, full of confidence, he gives so much power for the team. I love it.”

The home team were not to lead long and the visitors secured an equaliser through keeper Aro Muric on the 79th minute. Post-match Assistant Manager Craig Bellamy was full of praise for the keeper, explaining that Burnley’s style of play can lead to such circumstances and the defender was fully supportive of his teammate too.

“All confidence in Aro. He’s a big, big goalkeeper. He’s shown me a lot of things at training, in games. He’s made so many saves against Brentford, Chelsea, which was very important, Aro’s saved the team.

“It’s football, he gets keeping his head up and we have full confidence in Aro. The team are with Aro.”

Since joining in January, 21-year-old Estève has featured heavily in Vincent Kompany’s side. How has he found settling into life in the north west?

“I like it so much. Just the weather is not the best! But the coaches and the staff are really fantastic. I progress from January and now I have so much responsibility. I’ve learnt so many things here and I love the club, the fans. I’m very happy here. It’s beautiful, I love it.”

Next weekend sees Burnley head to Bramall Lane to take on the Blades and Estève says the team will be fighting for three points.

“We’ll fight. Last five games and we fight, we fight, we fight, we fight. It’s important to keep the mentality together. We give so much power and a good mentality. Full confidence in the team but five games, five opportunities to give more energy.”