Ronald Koeman praised Graziano Pelle’s all-round performance against Burnley but feels the striker is thinking too much when he gets a chance.

Pelle was dropped for the draw at Chelsea after ten Premier League games without a goal, but was recalled to play alongside Shane Long for the win over Burnley.

Long got on the scoresheet but Pelle did not, despite a couple of good chances, with the Italian striker trying to take one further into the area rather than shoot and another fired against the bar from close range.

It certainly seems as if a lack of goals is on Pelle’s mind and Koeman said: “The first chance yes, don’t think about that, shoot and score or try to score, but that’s sometimes difficult for the strikers when they have something a little bit struggling and then they try to do something different what they don’t need.

“That’s difficult but he was working well, a bit unlucky in two situations in the second half but the goals will come, no problem.”

He added: “What you have to do is working hard for the team and the players, ok, they understand his situation and, ok, that’s football.

“Don’t be nervous, keeping working and if you get a chance then score and don’t make it more difficult than that possibility was.

“It was no problem (Pelle being dropped).

“I spoke to him before the Chelsea game and I give him some explanation and of course he wasn’t happy but he understands and that’s good.”

Koeman changed formation for the Burnley game, leaving Victor Wanyama on the bench and opting for more of a 4-4-2 to start with, before bringing the combative midfielder on at half time, reverting to the team’s regular system and taking control of the game.

“Of course Victor has nine yellow cards and you think what’s the best,” admitted Koeman.

“He plays every game from the beginning and it was a good moment to play a little bit more attacking than normally we start but after half time I think was a good time to change that, a bit more physical, control in the midfield and in the second half we played very good football.

“I think we played very good in the second half.

“I think the first half was a little bit more difficult, they got some good chances.

“We had good chances to score more than one goal but total control of the game we had in the second half with good attacking movement and good chances.

“Pelle was a little bit unlucky but he was working hard and if you don’t score your team work is then important and the goals will come.”

The game also featured another superb display from Ryan Bertrand in the wake of yet another England snub from Roy Hodgson.

“It’s always up to the national coach but I said to Ryan keep going and if you play on that level what he showed that goal will come. When? Nobody knows that,” said Koeman.

“For the player the most important is keep going, keep playing on a good level and that moment will come.”