Burnley are back in the big time following a one-year absence, having torn up the Championship last season. Led by Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany, the Clarets return to the Premier League with a point to prove.
• Manager: Vincent Kompany
• Stadium: Turf Moor
• Last Season: 1st (Championship)
Burnley enjoyed six years in the Premier League between 2016 and 2022 before suffering relegation after the sacking of iconic manager Sean Dyche.
Fast-forward to today – the Lancashire outfit are unrecognisable under Kompany.
Match action in Huelva 📸 pic.twitter.com/LQ1w7rF1Oi— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) July 29, 2023
Match action in Huelva 📸 pic.twitter.com/LQ1w7rF1Oi
To say that Burnley took the Championship by storm last season would be an understatement.
Indeed, the runaway champions lost just three of their 46 matches, racking up a whopping 101 points en route to the title.
Not only were Burnley the top scorers in the second tier last term, but they also finished the campaign with the best defensive record.
That tells you everything you need to know about the new-look Clarets.
Under Dyche, Burnley were known as a direct, long-ball team that relied heavily on set-pieces and balls into the box. By contrast, Kompany’s Burnley are an exciting attacking side with skillful players in every department.
Nathan Tella bagged 19 goals and five assists while on loan from Southampton last season, but the 24-year-old has returned to his parent club, despite keen interest from a number of Premier League clubs.
Meanwhile, Manuel Benson notched 14 goals and four assists, Anass Zaroury registered 10 goals and six assists, while Josh Brownhill chipped in with seven goals and 10 assists from midfield.
Kompany has wasted no time in strengthening his squad ahead of Burnley’s Premier League returning, signing Zeki Amdouni from FC Basel for €18.6m, Jordan Beyer from Borussia Monchengladbach for €15m, Dara O’Shea from West Bromwich Albion for €7.8m and Michael Obafemi from Swansea City for €4m.
On top of that, England U21 goalkeeper James Trafford is also on his way to Turf Moor thanks to an agreement between the Clarets and Manchester City.
First and foremost, Burnley will be looking to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
However, given what they achieved last season, Kompany and his players will fancy their chances of making their mark on the Premier League in 2023-24.
With players such as Josh Brownhill, Connor Roberts, Jack Cork and Charlie Taylor going down with the club before securing an immediate top-flight return, the Clarets look well placed to resolidify their place in the top flight.
Do you find that interesting? Then check out our Manchester City Insight!