It feels like a long time since Maxwel Cornet’s thumping volley against Crystal Palace at Turf Moor.
That goal was the illustration of a player at the peak of their powers, an incredible strike executed to perfection that meant Cornet had scored five times in his first six Premier League starts.
Since that day in November, nine appearances, a single additional goal and plenty of disruption have followed for the Ivory Coast international.
The latest interruption came in the form of an injury against Brighton on February 19 as a kick to his achilles from Alexis Mac Allister forced him off despite his attempts to continue early in the second half. The subsequent dead leg meant he missed the subsequent midweek win over Tottenham and was an unused substitute away at Crystal Palace the following Saturday.
Cornet returned to the side for the 2-0 defeat to Leicester City 10 days ago. When manager Sean Dyche was asked why he brought him back in place of Jay Rodriguez, who had been in good form, his answer was simple: “Maxwel, we wondered if he could give us that spark…”
Since that 3-3 draw with Palace where he scored that wonderful goal, that spark has rarely been seen and has led supporters in recent weeks to discuss how Burnley can get the best out of the game-changer they signed last summer again.
When he’s quizzed on Cornet, Dyche reiterates the need to get him up to Premier League speed following his late August move from French top flight side Lyon. The view is that English football is a different intensity, which Cornet enjoys, but it requires match fitness beyond the norm in continental Europe.
The good news is there is a feeling the 25-year-old is finally feeling fully fit and ready to attack the remaining 12 games that will determine whether Burnley are a Premier League club again when next season kicks off.
