Axel Tuanzebe
BURDR Congo
Right
Nov 14, 1997
28
6'1"
165 lb
CB
RB
Controlled Centre Back
BurnleyReturns over break
Tuanzebe (Achilles) is back available for Saturday's clash against Brighton after playing 120 minutes for DR Congo, according to coach Scott Parker. "It's an incredible achievement, I am really pleased for Axel after coming off the back of the injury to go and score the goal to send DR Congo to the World Cup. It can be a huge lift for him"
Analysis: Tuanzebe is available for Saturday's clash against Brighton after playing 120 minutes for DR Congo and scoring the decisive goal against Jamaica to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The center-back was a starter prior to his injury and is expected to reclaim that role in the coming matches.
Won't return before break
Tuanzebe (Achilles) is still not fully back on grass and won't be an option before the March international break, according to coach Scott Parker, per the Burnley Express. "Axel's still not on the grass or has been on the grass but only one day, so I can't see Axel being back until after the international break."
Analysis: Tuanzebe has logged only one day back on the grass since suffering his Achilles injury and will still need several weeks before he is ready to return. The defender is targeting a comeback after the March international break at the earliest, which is a tough blow for the Clarets given his status as a regular starter when fully fit. His absence forces a reshuffle in the back line, with Joe Worrall expected to take on a bigger role in the starting XI while he remains sidelined.
Few weeks from return
Tuanzebe (Achilles) is still out for a few more weeks, according to manager Scott Parker. "Axel is still a couple of weeks away as well."
Analysis: Tuanzebe has already been out for three weeks with his injury and looks to be extending that another week or two, with the defender not yet an option. That said, he will likely be closer to a return come March, with it clearer once he starts to train. He has started in all but one match this season when an option, so they do wait for his return, injuries being a consistent issue this campaign.
Will miss several weeks
Tuanzebe (Achilles) is expected to miss two to three weeks due to injury, coach Scott Parker said in a press conference, according to Burnley Express.
Analysis: Tuanzebe picked up an Achilles injury during the clash against Sunderland and was forced off at halftime due to the issue and a tactical tweak. The defender has since missed the game against West Ham United and underwent scans to determine the full extent of the problem followed by injections. He is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks, and his absence is a real blow to the starting XI given he has been an undisputed starter for the Clarets this season, with Hannibal the leading candidate to step in if coach Scott Parker sticks with a back-four, or Josh Laurent likely to slot into a back-five should that system be preferred again.
Suffers Achilles injury
Tuanzebe (Achilles) was ruled out for Saturday's 2-0 defeat against West Ham United due to an injury, coach Scott Parker said to the media, according to Burnley Express. "He picked up an injury just in his Achilles."
Analysis: Tuanzebe picked up an Achilles issue ahead of Saturday's clash against the Hammers and was left out of the matchday squad after being deemed unfit to contribute. The defender will be hoping the problem is minor given his regular starter status this season for the Clarets. His absence triggered a tactical shift from coach Scott Parker who moved to a back four and brought Hannibal back into the starting XI by adding an extra midfielder.
Not available Saturday
Tuanzebe (undisclosed) is ruled out for Saturday's clash against West Ham United, the club posted.
Analysis: Tuanzebe was left out of the matchday squad for Saturday's clash against West Ham United for undisclosed reasons. It remains unclear whether the absence is injury-related or a tactical call from coach Scott Parker. That said, Tuanzebe has been a regular starter when fit this season, so his absence forces a reshuffle in the starting XI, likely pushing the Clarets into a back four and opening the door for Hannibal to benefit in midfield with his third start since late August.
Scores own goal
Tuanzebe recorded an own goal, one tackle (one won), three clearances and one interception in Monday's 3-0 loss to Sunderland.
Analysis: Tuanzebe put past his own goalkeeper during Monday's clash. It was a poor showing, though his own goal did little to change the result, as Burnley were totally outplayed. He recorded some decent defensive volume as the match flowed against Tuanzebe throughout. Still, an own goal and a one-sided loss are never a good result for a center-back.
Scores in Saturday's draw
Tuanzebe scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) in Saturday's 2-2 draw versus Tottenham Hotspur.
Analysis: Tuanzebe scored his first goal of the season Saturday, a strike in the 45th minute assisted by Kyle Walker which tied the match up at 1-1. It came on one of his two shots in the match, his first two shots of the season. He was active on the defensive end as well as he recorded four clearances, two interceptions and one tackle in his full 90 minutes of action.
Going back to Burnley
Tuanzebe is heading back to Burnley after completing his international duty with DR of Congo at the AFCON and should be back available for the next Premier League clash against Liverpool on Jan. 17.
Analysis: Tuanzebe was eliminated with DR of Congo from the AFCON and will now head back to Burnley and be back available for the Clarets moving forward. The defender has been a regular starter in the backline prior to his trip to Morocco and will likely claim back that role now that he is back available. His next chance of playing in the Premier League will likely happen against Liverpool on Jan. 17. Until then, Hjalmar Ekdal is expected to see a greater role for Burnley.
Off to AFCON
Tuanzebe is not available for the time being after being called up by DR of Congo for AFCON.
Analysis: Tuanzebe is heading out of the club for around the next month, as the defender will serve in AFCON. He has yet to miss a start this campaign when an option, so this will force some changes, with Hjalmar Ekdal and Oliver Sonne to see more time while Tuanzebe is away. A return is likely to come mid-January, although that is still up in the air.
Finds starting XI
Tuanzebe (undisclosed) is in the starting XI for Saturday's match against Fulham.
Analysis: Tuanzebe was unlikely for Saturday but is surprisingly not just with the team, but also in the starting XI to face Fulham. He has yet to miss a start this campaign when he is fit, likely to continue in the starting role moving forward as long as he avoids injuries.
Unlikely to face Fulham
Tuanzebe (undisclosed) is not expected to be available for Saturday's game against Fulham, coach Scott Parker said to the media, according to the Burnley Express. "He's okay, [but] I'm not sure he'll be ready for the weekend."
Analysis: Tuanzebe will leave the club to join DR Congo after the Fulham match, so it's uncertain when he'll be available for the Clarets if he doesn't play in this one. The defender has been a starter when healthy, but that hasn't happened often. Tuanzebe has made only seven starts this season.
Could miss several weeks
Tuanzebe (undisclosed) missed Wednesday's 1-0 loss against Crystal Palace due to an injury and could miss several weeks, coach Scott Parker said to the media, according to the Burnley Express. "He picked up an injury at Brentford. It looks like he'll be out for a couple of weeks."
Analysis: Tuanzebe suffered an injury against Brentford and couldn't feature in Wednesday's loss against Crystal Palace. The center-back could be set to miss a couple of weeks due to the setback, which is bad news for the Clarets given his undisputed starter role in the backline. Hjalmar Ekdal will replace him in defense until he returns to full fitness.
17 clearances in loss
Tuanzebe recorded 17 clearancesand one interception in Saturday's 2-0 loss against Arsenal.
Analysis: The defender did his part in attempting to prevent the Gunners from scoring but ultimately even the mass clearance volume wasn't enough to prevent a loss. Tuanzebe has an easier matchup on Saturday against West Ham, a team with just 10 goals in 10 domestic games.
Plays second half in Carabao Cup
Tuanzebe (quadriceps) featured in the second half of Tuesday's 2-1 Carabao Cup victory against Derby County, confirming he is back available for Burnley.
Analysis: Tuanzebe missed the beginning of the season with his new club due to a quadriceps injury that he has now recovered from. The defender played the whole second half in Tuesday's Carabao Cup victory and is now an option for coach Scott Parker moving forward. That said, Tuanzebe will likely hold a rotational role for the Clarets, so his return will not impact the starting squad.
Could be option Saturday
Tuanzebe (undisclosed) is back in training and could be an option to face Sunderland on Saturday, manager Scott Parker told media during Thursday's pre-match press conference. "Axel is back in training."
Analysis: The fact that Tuanzebe is back in training suggests the defender could be an option to boost the defensive depth to face Sunderland. That said, Tuanzebe isn't expected to be a regular starter, so his return shouldn't do much in terms of a fantasy perspective.
Select Player
Search and select a player to compare