Vincent Kompany says Burnley are not feeling sorry for themselves despite another star asset being on the verge of departing.
Maxwell Cornet is set for a move to West Ham United, with the Hammers activating a release clause of £17.5million for the Ivory Coast international. Cornet, 25, was one of the few Burnley players to come out of last season with much credit as he contributed nine goals in the Clarets' ultimately unsuccessful Premier League relegation battle.
When the move is rubber-stamped, Cornet will become the latest star player to leave Turf Moor in a summer that has seen them poached of their best talents. Goalkeeper Nick Pope left for Newcastle in a £10m deal whilst Nathan Collins was signed by Wolves for double that amount. Long-serving centre-halves Ben Mee and James Tarkowski left on frees, joining Brentford and Everton respectively whilst the Toffees also moved for Dwight McNeil after forking out £20m for the winger.
Those departures mean there is a very different look about the team that Kompany inherited after relegation. To that end he has been busy bringing in replacements with the signing of Manuel Benson from Royal Antwerp taking the number of new arrivals at Turf Moor into double figures. But rather than try and imitate those that came before them, Kompany insists the signings are all about building a new ethos and successful environment from scratch.
"Players like Dwight McNeil, Maxwell Cornet, Nathan Collins, Nick Pope, Ben Mee - with these type of players you have to accept straight away that you cannot replace them," Kompany said ahead of his first home game in charge, against Luton Town on Saturday.
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"If you're looking for their replacements then you won't find it. So we have to keep the team competitive and see who will match with who else in the team and keep it at its strongest. We're not trying to replace these players or feel sorry for ourselves. We're trying to form a new team with new guys that can develop into being the main players for this club in their own way.
"We have lost bodies, we need at least as many bodies coming through the door as we have lost and to make sure the team is competitive. The simplest way to say it is that until I have two players in each position that can compete for the whole season then I won't be satisfied. Plates are spinning but we're staying calm."
Meanwhile, Matej Vydra has confirmed he has left Burnley after failing to thrash out a new deal. He leaves after four years at the club.
Writing on Instagram, he said: "I would like to say farewell to my amazing fans who have supported me throughout my time here in Burnley FC. I've been lucky to experience the family atmosphere of the club, great team-mates and outstanding support from our doctors and physiotherapists that have helped me with my injury. Negotiations with the club were minimal, I received one offer, which I could not accept. To the club and to the fans, I wish a great season and best of luck."
