Burnley’s Maxime Esteve deserves to be in mix for Championship Player of the Year

A fresh take on football by Chris Dunlavy

Is Maxime Esteve such a ridiculous shout for Championship Player of the Year? The Burnley man certainly couldn’t have done much more.

In a year when no Championship forward has made a compelling case to even make the shortlist, it would be churlish to ignore the Clarets’ record-breaking defensive unit.

Yes, it’s been a team effort.

Scott Parker’s safety-first (and second, and third) system provides more protection than the presidential bunker at the White House, and means his defenders are rarely exposed.

Standout performer

But in an era when the second tier is chock-full of international talent from all over the planet, Burnley are setting records that could stand for generations.

That cannot be ignored, and nor should its central figure.

Esteve, a £10.2m signing from Montpellier last summer after an impressive loan spell, has started every Championship game and strolled through the vast majority.

For all the quality of CJ Egan-Riley and the experience of Connor Roberts, it is the 22-year-old Frenchman who is the totemic presence, mixing icy unflappability with understated aggression in much the same manner as Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.

Rarely does he lose an individual duel.

Everton and West Ham are casting envious glances in Burnley’s direction.

AC Milan are keeping tabs.

In truth, the centre-back is a cut above the Championship, and may just be its standout performer.