Burnley won the Championship in fairly comfortable fashion, eclipsing the 100-point mark. Apart from the party and festivities that go along with winning the Championship and securing Premier League football, the board, together with their long-term manager Vincent Kompany need to look ahead for next year and plan accordingly. A lot has been said throughout the season that the style of play is very dominant and possession is key so it will be interesting to see how they transition or change their approach once they face teams that are more likely to dominate possession.
We are going through some of the key details that will make up Burnley’s next season in the Premier League, key signings and who must they keep in order to remain competitive once again in the top division. Make sure to check our LV BET Sports Blog for more content related to the Premier League and much more. We are doing these for all the promoted sides from the Championship, make sure to check the one on Sheffield United.
UNCERTAINTY
As the trajectory of the team has shown it was evident that the team is destined for promotion. Having such a solid grip on the Championship allowed more time for the club and manager to think ahead, even during February – March time. Looking at Burnley and their squad, when they got relegated, they assembled a talented and hungry new squad full of youngsters, but there are very few that tasted Premier League football before. Having limited experience in the Premier League in your squad could be vital, and that could shape up the transfer market for Burnley.
The uncertainty around the squad persists as Burnley relies on the loan market to conduct their business. So it will be a key decision from the board and manager on whether they should extend the loans of certain players and which will be left to rejoin their parent club. Ashley Barnes, who was a senior member of the squad, has left and joined Norwich City on a free, with others such as Jay Rodriguez, Josh Brownhill and Jack Cork all yet to decide on their future. All these players mentioned are senior members of the squad and have played in the Premier League before, so retaining their services, even if they aren’t playing week in and week out, could be beneficial for the team.
CURRENT SQUAD QUALITY
GK:
- Muric → Good overall has kept 16 out of Burnley’s 19 clean sheets last season. The Kosovan has the highest save percentage in the league, over 75% from 40 games, which is impressive, but one has to note that through Burnley’s dominant style of play, he has faced fewer shots than others in the Championship. Burnley has explored options in this position, but it will most likely be for someone to compete with Muri rather than replace him.
Defence:
- Taylor Harwood-Bellis → Last season, he joined from Manchester City on a loan and has steadily become a key member of the squad. He has proved at times that he might be too good for the division. Despite the injury he sustained he played a good portion of the season, giving him a great springboard to learn and adjust his style of play. Burnley will hope that they can extend his loan, given that they can guarantee regular football, something he won’t get at Manchester City anytime soon.
- Connor Roberts → The Welsh right-back has already experienced the Premier League, and after a successful season in the Championship, adjusting well to the inverted full-back role entrusted to him, he would be a regular starter, given he remains fit.
- Vitinho → A versatile player that is still learning his trade and could slot in should any of the first-team players get injured. As a regular start, he might struggle to match the quality and technical aspects.
- Jordan Beyer → The German international is on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach, and Burley has the option to make his move permanent. The authority and quality on the ball is there and it could well be primed for Premier League football. Questions might arise once they are pushed back into their half, how well can they deal with that sort of pressure.
- Hjalmar Ekdal → Ekdal is a Swedish no-nonsense defender that struck a partnership with Beyer after the injury sustained by Harwood-Bellis. The January signing was brought in with the thought of him being a regular starter in the Premier League. The only concern might be that if and when Burnley are playing in a high-line, his lack of pace might be exploited easily.
- Ameen Al-Dakhil → Similar to Ekdal, an impressive impact after his introduction to the squad midway through the season. The young defender has a lot yet to learn, but his speed will position him well to keep tabs on some of the top talents in the Premier League.
- Ian Maatsen → Another loanee, this time from Chelsea. Burnley will look to make his transfer permanent after an impressive season. His ability to storm forward with confidence and quality is his best quality. This reflects in his stats, scoring four and registering six assists in 37 games.
Midfield:
- Josh Cullen → After not featuring much when he was at West Ham, Josh will have a good old crack at the Premier League this time around. He has been the go-to man in the midfield, dictating tempo and zipping passes with great accuracy.
- Josh Brownhill → Very similar to his teammate Connor Roberts, he returns to the Premier League as a more seasoned player. His new advanced role in midfield has helped him become more vocal and influential on the pitch, hopefully, he can kick things on this time around.
- Jack Cork → His role at the time might be more focused on the dressing room rather than having an impact on the pitch himself. He has been phased out somewhat, only featuring four times for the Clarets since the turn of the year. There will be a time when he steps up, but it won’t be as a regular starter.
- Johann Berg Gudmundsson → Last season was the perfect season for the Iceland international. Staying fit was already a great achievement whilst punching in some great performances consistently. His game intelligence, composure as well as crucial ball retention will play a huge role, provided his injury woes won’t return.
Attack:
- Manuel Benson → Burnley’s Arjen Robben, Manuel Benson’s trademark of curling one in from the edge of the box has got people talking. His ability to still make the same move but still catch defenders out is just sublime. The combination of trickery and pace has made him a menace in the Championship, hopefully, he can add more to his arsenal as his tendency of cutting on the inside.
- Anass Zaroury → The Moroccan has had a magical season in his expedition in Qatar, and his form continued to blossom with Burnley, especially that performance against Bournemouth in the FA Cup.
- Nathan Tella → The deal to make Tella’s move permanent will be crucial for the team, as his 17-goal tally has been impressive. The experience of playing in the Championship will continue to fuel his desire and hunger to achieve great things. The 23-year-old is versatile enough to play as a right winger, left winger and also as a second striker, should there be any need for that position.
BURNLEY FAQ
What are Burnley’s nickname?
Burnley are also known as ‘The Clarets’.
What’s the name of Burnley’s stadium?
Burnley play their home games at Turf Moor
What is the best finish in the Premier League for Burnley?
Seventh place during the season 2017/18
Has Burnley ever won a trophy?
Yes, Burnley has been champions of England twice, in 1920-21 and 1959-60, and won the FA Cup in 1913-14 and the Charity Shield twice, in 1960 and 1973.