Burnley’s return to the Championship has gone well so far, and one of their summer signings is quickly proving their value.
Hannibal Mejbri, who joined Burnley from Manchester United at the end of August on a four-year deal, was signed for £5.4 million, with the potential to rise to £9.4 million. Despite the investment, the 21-year-old has already shown he’s a valuable addition, playing a key role for Scott Parker’s team in just a few games.
Burnley currently sit third in the Championship and have only lost once—before Hannibal’s arrival, they were defeated 1-0 by Sunderland. Since then, they’ve dropped just two points in three matches, with Hannibal playing a major role in those successes.
The Tunisian international has had a strong start to life at Burnley
Having made five Premier League appearances for Manchester United in 2023/24 and six for Sevilla in La Liga, Hannibal’s move to the Championship might have surprised some. However, he is already demonstrating why he’s played at such a high level.
In his short time at Burnley, Hannibal has shown a knack for creating chances and winning key one-on-one duels, quickly establishing himself as a vital part of the team.
Football League World’s Burnley Fan Pundit, Nathan Rogers, has been highly impressed with Hannibal Mejbri’s early performances at Turf Moor and is excited to see more from the young midfielder.
Speaking to FLW, Rogers said: “Hannibal’s start at Burnley has been brilliant. He quickly won over the Burnley fans with a strong first showing against Blackburn in our big derby. He made some solid challenges that day, got the crowd fired up, and really added some intensity in midfield for us.
“He made a great first impression, but his performance against Leeds took it to another level. It was a tough match against difficult opposition, but he was very disciplined, pressing effectively when he could and controlling the ball well in midfield.
“Everyone saw that viral clip of him walking around the pitch after being subbed off, goading the Leeds fans and pumping up the Burnley supporters—it really captured his fiery personality and his ability to connect with the fans.”
Nathan added: “As the games progress, I’m seeing young fans wearing shirts with his name on them. He’s definitely making his mark this season and becoming something of a fan favorite.
“My only concern is his discipline—he’s picking up more yellow cards than I’d like, but that’s probably just a part of his aggressive style that needs managing. Scott Parker will need to figure out how to use him effectively while reducing those bookings.
“Overall, I’m really happy we signed him. He has so much potential to grow, and I believe he’ll be a crucial player for us this season, especially in our push for promotion.”
| Hannibal Mejbri Burnley Stats (FotMob)* | |
|---|---|
| Appearances (Starts) | 3 (3) |
| Goals (Assists) | 0 (0) |
| Yellow Cards (Red Cards) | 2 (0) |
| Aerial Duels Won | 75% |
| Tackles Won | 100% |
| Duels Won | 53.8% |
| Chances Created | 3 |
| Pass Accuracy | 77.3% |
| *Stats correct as of 24/09/2024 | |
Hannibal must get his discipline under control going forward
Despite his excellent performances, there are some issues that need addressing sooner rather than later.
Hannibal has already picked up two yellow cards in just three Championship appearances for Burnley. If he receives three more bookings in the next 13 games, he’ll face a one-match suspension, and the penalties will only become more severe as the season goes on.
Scott Parker will need to manage him more carefully to avoid this, or Hannibal’s playing time could become more inconsistent than it should be.
On the flip side, Hannibal’s aggression is a crucial element of his game. His tenacity in winning the ball back is a defining trait that makes him the player he is, and this intensity will benefit him greatly in the coming years. It’s about finding the right balance without losing that edge that makes him so effective.
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