Burnley: Preview for the Clarets
By Jocelyn Taub
Burnley begin the new campaign with question marks following winning the Championship title last season
Of the three newly promoted clubs, Burnley are the hardest to predict. While Middlesbrough look the most prepared and Hull appear ready to struggle, the Clarets are still a work in progress.
Burnley won the Championship last season while scoring the most goals in the league. Even more impressive they went undefeated from mid December through May. Regardless of these accomplishments, success in the second division does not automatically transfer to the top flight.
The Clarets have some good players. Striker Andre Gray was named Championship Player of the Year and won the Golden Boot with 24 goals.
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Winger George Boyd has Premier League experience having been a part of Burnley’s 2014-2015 squad.
Former Manchester United prospect Michael Keane is a solid defender who also contributed five goals. The highly touted center back has been a target of Leicester City throughout this summer’s transfer window.
Players leaving the club include midfielder Joey Barton and Michael Duff. The combustible Barton was named to the 2016 PFA Championship Team of the Year and has since signed with Rangers.
Northern Ireland defender Duff retired at the end of the season and has moved in to a coaching role with the team.
New signings for Burnley
New additions to the team include winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson and goalkeeper Nick Pope from Charlton. Gudmundsson joins following his success with the Icelandic national team at Euro 2016.
Manager Sean Dyche has also brought in a couple of youngsters. 18-year-old midfielder Robbie Leitch comes to the Lancashire side from Motherwell. Striker Jamie Thomas signed on a free transfer from Bolton. He has since been loaned out to Ayr United of the Scottish Championship.
Many Clarets fans believe the club has not been sufficiently strengthened. Some even joke that the biggest investment this summer has been the addition of new floodlights at Turf Moor.
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Some of that doom and gloom was lifted just today. Burnley gave its fans a signal of real intent announcing a major signing. Pending a medical to take place on Monday, Anderlecht midfielder Steven Defour will sign a four-year deal. Defour has played for the Belgian national squad 46 times and has won domestic titles with both Standard Liege and Porto.
The transfer window remains open until the end of the month. For now,however, it looks as if Burnley will be fighting hard to retain its Premier League status.