Hjalmar Ekdal reveals all on Burnley mess – Nicky Hayen won’t be best pleased

If you want to keep a secret at Burnley, then Hjalmar Ekdal is not the man to tell it to. Seriously. The midfielder is the epitome of the loose lips that sinks ships.

The 27-year-old doesn’t do well with keeping Burnley things behind closed doors. We’ve already seen it in the past.

A few years back, he pretty much ruined a Burnley inspired Traitors series they had going on behind the scenes with his very public comments on the game.

That led to plenty of frustration and Turf Moor and the midfielder ending up out of the following match-day squad. Whether that was as a direct punishment or just because he wasn’t in the plans, we’ll leave up for interpretation.

Anyway, it was an incident that perhaps should have taught him to keep schtum on international duty.

Not completely shut up shop in interviews of course but at least watch what he says and give the boring, generic PR friendly responses we’re all used to and struggle to make interesting articles out of.

But alas, it appears lessons were not learned. Now the midfielder is busy revealing that everything isn’t rosy behind the scenes at Turf Moor.

“It’s a bit messy, which is completely understandable given how poorly things have gone for us at the start,” he said.

“We’ve come down from the Premier League and face high expectations. Obviously, this start isn’t ideal – everyone understands that.

“It’s a little bit chaotic at the club, but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes that doesn’t really involve us players. We’re just riding the wave and doing what we can. We’re focusing on playing and on the next match.”

Ignoring outside noise

He then admitted that he and other players are being forced to focus heavily on what they can control, to ignore the drama surrounding them outside.

“As a player, you focus heavily on what you can control and your day-to-day routine,” he added.

“You train, see your teammates, and prepare for the next match. What happens behind the scenes or at a higher level isn’t necessarily something we players hear much about or have any involvement in. You just have to ride the wave.”

There was also no diplomatic answer when he was asked if the turmoil is having an effect on the player’s performances.

“Yes, of course. They could be connected,” he admitted.

“Naturally, a club benefits from a healthy environment – stability, a sense of security, stable leadership positions. And a squad that understands what’s going on around them. It’s hard to say. I don’t know if that’s the cause.”

No Hayen reprieve

His manager Nicky Hayen won’t be thanking him either. He finds himself under pressure after a disappointing start to life back in the Championship.

And Ekdal isn’t sure how much longer he has left in charge at Turf Moor once the international break is over.

“I assume so [that Hayen will stay], but I don’t know,” he concluded.

“These are things happening behind the scenes that we players aren’t involved in or privy to. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Further comments elsewhere in Sweden

Hjalmar Ekdal is also quoted by Aftonbladet today, saying similar.

“It’s a bit messy. Not chaotic, but uncertain. The CEO is stepping down and stuff. It’s not an optimal start, we haven’t won in eight games. It’s not good for any club, but especially not one that comes down from the Premier League and has a squad where many have higher ambitions,” Ekdal said.

During the summer there were rumours of a return to Djurgården, where he’s played previously. The Burnley defender has played down that idea.

“I wouldn’t move back to Sweden just because there’s a bit of uncertainty in my current club. It’s common for there to be a bit of uncertainty. There’s a large organisation with many roles in each club, power plays and hierarchies behind the scenes.”