Vincent Kompany has no concerns over Michael Obafemi’s attitude and insists there is a ‘big upside and little risk’ signing the Ireland striker.
Obafemi joined the Championship leaders last Sunday on a loan deal from rivals Swansea City, with scope for a permanent switch in the summer.
But he is unlikely to play any part in tomorrow's league clash away to Adam Idah’s Norwich City as he continues to build up his sharpness.
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Obafemi had been frozen out at Swansea since November and hasn’t played competitively since Ireland’s friendly defeat to Norway in that same month.
Swansea felt the 22-year-old’s head was turned when Burnley first tried signing Obafemi last summer.
Swans boss Russell Martin claimed Obafemi’s form was impacted as a result, and while he was a regular earlier in the season, he fell out of favour by November.
When he was at Southampton, Ralph Hasenhuttl accused Obafemi of ‘lacking in professionalism’ but said he had a big future if he could ‘learn quickly’.
And for Ireland, it was revealed last March that Obafemi - first capped by Marin O’Neill - told the FAI he only wished to be considered for senior duty and not the Under-21s.
That could have rubbed management and players up the wrong way, but Stephen Kenny has brought him into the fold with Obafemi scoring twice in six games.
But Kompany - the Manchester City legend - has no concerns over the striker and believes he will be a valuable asset as Burnley push for a swift Premier League return.
Kompany told LancsLive: "I come from Brussels and if you grow up in Brussels and you have a team like Anderlecht, then everyone comes with a bit of flavour and a taste.
“For me the most important thing to check is fundamentally is the person a good person or a bad person? Can they be told and coached and accept it?
“On that side I’m not worried. The rest of it, everybody has to have an opportunity to grow and improve.
“We have done (this transfer) in a way that is smart for us as a club. There is a big upside and little risk.”
Kompany continued: “His profile, his speed, he has been well coached for many years so there’s a huge advantage for him and us in that he will assimilate quickly.”
But considering his lack of games over the last two-and-a-half months, Kompany has stressed that Obafemi needs to get up to speed before he can make his Clarets bow.
“The only thing is, and he knows because I have been honest with him, is he is on his own pathway and we want to get him fit and 100%,” he said.
“There’s no rush. He just needs to get 100% fit and bring that smile to the team and all will be well.”
When he signed last weekend, Obafemi admitted that Burnley’s interest had been playing on his mind since last summer.
And because of that, he feels duty bound to repay Kompany’s faith in him as the Clarets - 17 points clear of the playoff scrap - race towards their top flight return.
Obafemi, set to feature in next month’s Euro 2024 qualifier against France, said: "When I first heard of Burnley's interest in the summer I was adamant to come here.
“Obviously it didn't happen then but now I'm here and I just can't wait to play in the Claret and Blue."
