Exclusive: Don Goodman reacts to big Burnley FC exit news involving Josh Brownhill and CJ Egan-Riley | OneFootball

Scott Parker may struggle in the Premier League without these pivotal players.

Burnley duo Josh Brownhill and CJ Egan-Riley have been linked with a move to West Ham United.

Scott Parker relied on these two players heavily in the Clarets' 100-point-winning promotion campaign last time out. Brownhill was the driving force of the team from midfield, scoring 18 goals, while Egan-Riley and his defensive unit made headlines for being one of the best defences in second tier history.

They only conceded 16 goals in 46 league games, making it no surprise at all that clubs want to sign the pair, who are both out of contract this summer. Burnley are in talks with them over fresh terms but no resolution has been found in either case as of yet. In fact, it has been reported that Egan-Riley, a Manchester City academy graduate, has agreed to join Liam Rosenior's RC Strasbourg.

Despite this, it has been reported by the Daily Mail that the 22-year-old defender is on West Ham's watchlist, as is Brownhill, who also has interest from Everton, according to Football Insider.

Burnley urged to break the bank to keep Josh Brownhill and CJ Egan-Riley

It would be a huge loss for Burnley if they fail to hold onto the pair, according to Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman. The former EFL striker watched them play for the Clarets plenty of times last season and exclusively told Football League World that the club's hierarchy should chuck all the dough they can at the duo to get them to stick around at Turf Moor.

"I'm not really surprised," said Goodman on West Ham's interest in the two players. "How can you be surprised? Josh Brownhill scored an incredible amount of goals for Burnley and was a leader on the pitch, a captain.

"CJ Egan-Riley belonged to a record-breaking Championship defence, and largely didn't get the credit that he deserved because Esteve got loads of headlines, as did James Trafford.

"I think this is a very underrated player. If I'm Burnley, I'm really pushing the boat out financially in order to keep these two players."

Burnley will struggle to stay up without Brownhill and Egan-Riley

It's one thing for promoted clubs to sell their best players on the way up. It's an entirely different case to have them leave for free. The Clarets would be entitled to some training compensation from whichever club Egan-Riley joins if he does leave, but it would be nowhere near his actual value in all likelihood.

Parker wouldn't get much in return to reinvest in this team, which needs a lot of work done to it if they are going to achieve what they failed to do under Vincent Kompany and stay in the Premier League following a 100-point-plus campaign.