Burke: I just need to play

Matt Morley 6 years ago 425
Burke was frustrated by a lack of opportunities in Germany. WestBromwichAlbion

West Brom's record signing Oliver Burke says that his decision to sacrifice Champions League football to return to England was a practical one.

The 20-year-old joined the 'Baggies' earlier this summer for £15m after a season in Germany with RB Liepzig and the former Nottingham Forest man says the move is all about getting more minutes.

Speaking to 'Sky Sports News' Burke said: "It's been a problem, not getting much game-time. The more you play, the more confident you are. When I was at Leipzig, I was coming on for the last 10 or 20 minutes, and the game has kind of gone then. You don't get a feel for how you are as a player.

"Not playing in the Champions League and Europe? I don't really think about that, I just think about being selfish in a way - I need to play!

"I just love football and I don't care who for, just as long as I'm playing and I'm happy. Moving to West Brom is obviously going to help me and I think Tony Pulis believes in me a lot.

"He told me he'd watched me for a very long time, since I was a young boy. I felt it was the right move for me, back to England and to what I know, and hopefully I can enjoy myself and really kick on."

With so few British players deciding to move overseas these days, some have criticised Burke from returning from his German adventure so soon, saying that he has thrown away a great opportunity to learn another style of play etc, though the youn winger refutes those suggestions.

"I didn't chuck it over there, whatsoever. No chance! It was a very difficult team to get into. There was a different language as well, so having that bond with the coaches was very difficult as they don't speak much English," Burke pointed out.

"I learnt so much, it's a fantastic club and I don't regret it one bit. I think I've got better from being there, and I've still got a lot to learn.

"I really enjoyed my time there; I was actually, at the start of the season, really happy and enjoying my football. I had a great pre-season and I thought I'd be given an opportunity, but it didn't happen. I think then I knew it was time to push on and start playing more, especially at a young age.

"I'd been linked with a few clubs, and the coaches at RB weren't sure what was happening, so I got taken out of a game against Schalke (on August 19) and I was quite upset because I wasn't sure what was happening either and I just wanted to play and be part of the team. I knew then that something was going to happen."

With all the transfer palaver in the past now, Burke says he is completely focussed on West Brom.

"We can achieve big things here. We've made a few signings so the team's stronger. The changing room is very good because of the wins, and the morale's very good, so I'm very happy to join, so far, a very successful team.

"Whenever I'm given the chance I just have to give my all. Then it'll all come together," he concluded.

Will Burke be a success in the Premier League?

Mentioned in the news story

Oliver Burke
West Bromwich Albion
RB Leipzig
Premier League
Bundesliga