Thursday 3 September 2015 18:40, UK
Burnley manager Sean Dyche has joked that he convinced Joey Barton to sign for the Clarets by cooking him an omelette.
Former Manchester City and QPR midfielder Barton joined Burnley on a one-year deal after being released by QPR at the end of last season, and Dyche told Sky Sports' FL72 Podcast that a chat over lunch persuaded Barton that Turf Moor was the right move.
"It was actually an omelette [I made for him]," said Dyche. "So there wasn't too much skill involved.
"I do try my hand at cooking now and again but I didn't set myself on making anything too flash!"
Barton is one of a number of arrivals at Burnley this summer, including Andre Gray and Matthew Lowton, but the club have also lost the likes of Danny Ings and Kieran Trippier, to Liverpool and Tottenham respectively, following their relegation from the Premier League.
Dyche, however, was happy with their business in the transfer window.
"We think we've strengthened in certain areas," he added. "Obviously we've lost some really good players this summer, not only the ones that have moved in front of everyone's eyes but behind that as well.
"We've had Dean Marney out and lost Ashley Barnes to a cruciate injury. So we've had quite a big shift within the squad and thought it was important to bring in players who could grow into the team and help us build for the future again."
Dyche also praised new signing Gray, who joined last month from Championship rivals Brentford, but denied that the striker is a direct replacement for Ings.
"We know Gray is raw and hungry, and he wants to develop and improve. He'll blend into what we've got here and do well.
"He's a different kind of player (to Ings). I never look for natural replacements, I look for players who will improve us and move us forward."
