Guardian writers' predicted place: twentieth (NB: this isn't essentially Andy Hunter's prediction however the common of our writers' ideas)
Final season's place: 2nd within the Championship
Prospects
No membership encapsulates the widening gulf between the highest two tiers of English soccer fairly like Burnley. Their file over the previous 4 seasons reads: relegated from the Premier League with 35 factors, promoted as champions of the Championship with 101 factors, relegated from the Premier League once more with 24 factors and promoted from the Championship once more with 100 factors. Too sturdy for one league however not sturdy sufficient for the subsequent, Burnley and their bold homeowners face a substantial problem to show the tide of current historical past.
Underneath Scott Parker, the newly promoted crew are more likely to undertake a extra pragmatic method to their Premier League return than final time beneath Vincent Kompany, though relegation didn't do his profession prospects any hurt. Promotion was constructed on the again of an impressive defence and survival could depend upon a repeat efficiency. It isn't solely the step up in high quality that casts doubt on these prospects, nonetheless, however the reality Parker has misplaced key parts of the unit answerable for the perfect defensive file in English league historical past final season – a measly 16 objectives in 46 video games – with 30 clear sheets saved alongside the best way.
CJ Egan-Riley has left for Marseille after rejecting Burnley's provide of a brand new contract whereas goalkeeper James Trafford, who was named within the Championship Crew of the Season for 2024-25 alongside the central defender, has rejoined Manchester Metropolis. Survival hopes have been hit by their exits however at the least Maxime Estève, who additionally had admirers, has stayed and signed a brand new five-year deal.
Fielding an assault of Premier League calibre may be an issue for Burnley. Midfielder and captain Josh Brownhill was the facet's prime scorer final season however will observe Egan-Riley in leaving on a free switch. Parker has added expertise to the defence in Kyle Walker and Axel Tuanzebe. Will probably be required.
The supervisor
Scott Parker is on an equivalent mission to his membership this season: each should break an unwelcome cycle to outlive within the Premier League after their two earlier makes an attempt failed. Final season's promotion was the third of the previous England worldwide's managerial profession and, together with Fulham and Bournemouth, achieved on the first time of asking. He has by no means reached a second successive season within the prime flight as a supervisor, nonetheless, shedding his job after struggling relegation with Fulham in 2021 and being sacked by Bournemouth after criticising their switch coverage after a 9-0 thrashing at Liverpool in 2022. Parker and Burnley will hope for third time fortunate.
Off-field image
The Clarets are set to develop into the newest crew beneath multi-club possession after Velocity Sport Restricted (VSL), the sports activities arm of their funding group homeowners ALK Capital, agreed a deal to take over Espanyol. Former NFL star JJ Watt, a minority investor in Burnley, has confirmed he shall be concerned in shopping for the La Liga membership. VSL will develop into majority shareholders at Espanyol with the Catalan membership's earlier homeowners, the Chinese language firm Rastar Group, remaining concerned. The deal is but to be ratified however Espanyol have said they are going to be unbiased from Burnley.
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Star signing
Manchester Metropolis had been prepared to half firm with Kyle Walker after eight years of stellar service and Milan opted in opposition to making final season's mortgage transfer everlasting, but it surely was nonetheless one thing of a shock when the England worldwide made Turf Moor the subsequent step in his spectacular profession. At 35, the famend tempo could also be slowing however the right-back stays fiercely aggressive and can carry the management, expertise and talent that Burnley might want to survive. Walker needed to remain within the north-west and was offered on Burnley by Parker, his former Tottenham team-mate. The prospect of becoming a member of England's 100 membership – Walker presently has 96 caps – may also spur him on.
Stepping up
The 20-year-old striker Joe Westley shall be trying to construct on final season's vital breakthrough when he stepped as much as the EFL for the primary time. After mortgage spells with Nationwide League groups Fylde and Rochdale, Westley joined Swindon on a brief deal in January and made a right away impression with a purpose on his League Two debut. He scored three objectives in 17 appearances for Ian Holloway's facet in complete, having netted 13 instances in 13 video games for Burnley's under-21s within the first half of the season, and made his mark this pre-season with the winner in a pleasant in opposition to Huddersfield.
An enormous season for …
Aaron Ramsey suffered a critical knee damage in opposition to Arsenal in February 2024, and it has been a protracted street again for the previous England under-20 worldwide. Ramsey, youthful brother of Aston Villa's Jacob, joined Burnley for £14m plus add-ons in 2023 however has been restricted to at least one temporary substitute look for the primary crew within the 18 months since his damage. “It's straightforward to be forgotten about once you're not on the pitch,” the attacking midfielder admitted final season. Now match and with a pre-season behind him, the 22-year-old is on track for a welcome return.
