Sheffield United comparison made as Burnley ace labelled ‘most underrated in the promotion battle’

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Burnley beat Norwich City on Friday night to strengthen their grip on an automatic promotion slot after Sheffield United’s stumble away to Plymouth Argyle.

The Championship is full of surprises and this weekend proved to be one of the most exciting yet. The gap is now such that things don’t look likely to go right to the wire and the final day of the season as they did just one week ago.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	42	25	13	4	82	29	53	88
2	BurnleyBurnley	42	24	16	2	57	13	44	88
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	42	26	7	9	57	33	24	83
4	SunderlandSunderland	42	21	13	8	57	38	19	76
5	Bristol CityBristol City	42	16	16	10	54	45	9	64
6	CoventryCoventry	42	18	9	15	59	54	5	63
7	West BromWest Brom	42	14	18	10	51	39	12	60
8	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	42	17	9	16	61	51	10	60

Some experts are concerned about Burnley if they are promoted but they are just four games away from breaking records. A title fight could now be Burnley’s main aspect to play for, with Leeds United also racing clear from the Blades.

Scott Parker was delighted with his side, particularly praising Hannibal Mejbri for his performance for the Clarets ahead of the final four-game run-in. Navigate the game against Sheffield United on Easter Monday, and promotion could be wrapped up soon for his side.

• READ MORE: ‘Too many vibes in the changing room’: Burnley duo share hilarious insight after 2-1 win vs Norwich City

Josh Cullen labelled as ‘underrated’ by Championship experts

Mejbri’s opener sparked a hilarious celebration, with the Tunisian bagging from a perfectly lofted through ball from Josh Cullen before Jaidon Anthony sealed the points for the home team.

EFL experts Ali Maxwell and George Elek of the Not The Top 20 podcast have had their say on Burnley’s win, including some comparison from Maxwell on a former fan favourite at Sheffield United and Cullen.

Maxwell said: “From a Norwich point of view, it was a pretty simple and terrible goal to concede — but quality play from Cullen and from Mejbri.

“It got me thinking that Cullen might be the most underrated player in the promotion battle. He is a star player, Cullen. But everything about him hides his light under a bushel.

“In that, he just sits at the base of midfield, you don’t really notice him, but this will be — if they go up — the second time he’s anchored an automatic promotion team.”

He added: “People used to lose their minds over Ollie Norwood, didn’t they? For doing basically the same thing. That’s partly because they’re very different on an aesthetic level. Cullen is much more of a recycler than a sprayer, despite this brilliant ball over the top for the goal.

“That’s not particularly sexy, whereas Norwood has got that cross field switch that he does 25 times a game. I think as a tempo setter, and for someone to take the ball under pressure, and to know when to keep the ball and when to punch the ball forward, that’s probably more important than passing range at the base of midfield in the modern game.

“Cullen is absolutely excellent at that. Yeah, he’s probably, physically, one of those like Norwood. He’s probably going to struggle to make much of an impact at Premier League level but this was a great assist for him.

“And it reminded me of what a brilliant player he is and we don’t give him much credit. I don’t think many people do, really.”

• READ MORE: Sky Sports pundits make ‘very worrying’ Sheffield United claim amid Burnley and Leeds United praise

Josh Cullen’s 2024/25 Burnley stats

Cullen is a tidy and metronomic midfielder in a double-pivot, which is exactly what a team like Burnley needs to keep the ball moving forwards consistently, or to feel the tempo and rhythm of the game by slowing things down and keeping it safe.

The Irishman is also third in the Burnley squad for minutes played behind James Trafford and Maxime Esteve. Per FBref, he is third for passes attempted but second for progressive passes behind only Connor Roberts.

He is also in the 92nd percentile for touches from Championship midfielders. He is the heartbeat and engine room of the team and his role is one which is often undervalued across football and not just in Burnley’s squad.

The Norwood comparison is apt, with both going down as two of the most underappreciated but high quality deep midfielders of the current generation.