Burnley are on their way back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Sean Dyche’s men have been the best side in the Championship this year, combining strong defensive organisation with a potent attack, which has yielded the rewards it deserved. Finishing top with 93 points, as well as having the league’s top scorer in Andre Gray with 25 goals, makes for promising reading for Clarets fans, but they will also be all too aware of the rigours that await them in the Premier League.
Burnley are a well run club, have a very stable management and staff set up with Dyche at the helm and some very talented players. If, with the new money coming in from the highly publicised TV deal, Burnley can add some strong additions, there could be a bright future on the horizon for the Turf Moor outfit.
The first transfer window after promotion is always a big one for those clubs on their way up and here at FootballFanCast we thinking signing these FIVE players would be key to maintaining Premier League status for the Lancashire side.
Nakhi Wells
Wells is on an upward curve. After impressing for Bradford he sealed a move to Huddersfield and has helped them consolidate their Championship status. Wells is a bright, quick forward that can be deployed in a number of roles along the frontline and would dovetail brilliantly with Gray and Sam Vokes. A forward three of Wells, Gray and Vokes has bags of potential and would surely help Burnley to safety.
Jay Rodriguez
A former Burnley man Rodriguez has been desperately unlucky with injuries at Southampton and may fancy a fresh start away from St. Mary’s. 56 goals in 143 games for the Clarets is a decent enough record and for a man who was on the fringes of the England squad for a period of time, he would probably command a fairly cheap transfer fee. He has Premier League experience and knows the club, it makes more sense than it doesn’t.
James Collins
Ben Mee and Michael Keane have been superb at the back for Burnley and deserve to get the chance to test themselves against some of the best players in the world. However the lack of Premier League experience the two centre halves have cannot be overlooked and so this is an area the Clarets need to address. Collins hasn’t played much for West Ham recently, has bags of Premier League experience and would be an ideal player to learn from for Mee and Keane.
Daryl Janmaat
The Dutch full back will be determined to prove he is Premier League quality and a move away from Newcastle could happen after their relegation. The right back provides a good threat going forward and would offer extra competition in a position Sean Dyche has yet to decide whom his regulars are. Dyche has rotated his full backs throughout the season and Janmaat would want the chance to stake his claim as the first choice on the right for the Turf Moor outfit.
Andros Townsend
The English winger’s career is a sorry sequence that has led him to be relegated with Newcastle. A regular for Spurs and England he fell out of favour at White Hart Lane and despite starting to regain his form in the North East, he’s a long way away from where he once was. The left-footer is definitely Premier League material and just needs game time under his belt, which he would no doubt get at Burnley whose midfield is ageing.
