Burnley had an impressive season last year, winning the Championship by a landslide and earning a quick return to the Premier League.
At the onset of their 2022/23 campaign, the Clarets were confronted with several uncertainties, but they tackled those challenges head-on and racked up an impressive 101 points.
Questions were raised when the club decided to hire Vincent Kompany, but those concerns faded into thin air when they clinched promotion with a record-breaking seven games to spare.
Avoiding an immediate return to the second division will be the primary objective for the Clarets. But it will be interesting to see if they can cope with the step up.
Here is our Burnley season preview for 2023/24. You can also check out our detailed Premier League season previews for all 20 teams.
Burnley Fixtures
Kompany will lock horns with his mentor Pep Guardiola when Burnley take on Manchester City at Turf Moor in the Premier League curtain raiser on August 11.
The Clarets then visit Kenilworth Road to face fellow promoted side Luton Town the following weekend before rounding off August at home to Aston Villa.
Home games against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Chelsea, and a trip to Newcastle United are amongst a tough run of fixtures for Kompany’s side in September and October.
Their best shot of picking up points in these two months could be games against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.
However, both matches will be played away from Turf Moor, making it a proper challenge for the Clarets.
Burnley face a Boxing Day meeting with Liverpool among a jam-packed December schedule, while their reverse clash against Man City is scheduled for January 31.
They will face a challenging couple of fixtures against Newcastle and Spurs in May before rounding off the campaign at home to Nottingham Forest.
Manager
Burnley surprised many when they decided to part ways with long-serving manager Sean Dyche only to appoint an inexperienced Kompany to lead their promotion charge.
However, Kompany’s side blew the Championship division out of the water – although unsurprising considering the club spent more than any other side in the league last season.
The Premier League will be a different challenge for the Belgian manager. He was a serial winner during his playing days, but that does not guarantee his managerial career will follow the same trajectory.
Take nothing away from Kompany’s impact at Turf Moor. He has managed to alter the culture at the club and inspired lofty ambitions among a fanbase who can dream once again.
The Clarets had become synonymous with a physical style of football that – although unattractive to the naked eye – helped establish them as a formidable team, especially on home soil.
To transform them into a fearless attack-oriented side in his very first season speaks volumes of his ability as a head coach.
Although he is still a rookie, Kompany is a promising manager, and there is no better opportunity to prove his tactical know-how than in the Premier League.
Transfer Business
It has been a hectic summer for Burnley thus far, with as many as eight new players joining Kompany’s side.
They have signed Jordan Beyer and Michael Obafemi on permanent deals from Borussia Monchengladbach and Swansea, respectively, following their impressive loan spell at Turf Moor last season.
Dara O’Shea, who joined from West Bromwich Albion, will add depth to the defence, while Zeki Amdouni and James Trafford have been the club’s big-money additions this summer.
Burnley have kept the financial details of Amdouni’s transfer under wraps, but it is believed the 22-year-old centre-forward set the Clarets back €18 million.
The Swiss marksman was a top performer for Basel last season, scoring 22 times across all competitions. He was also the Europa Conference League’s joint-top scorer with seven goals.
Trafford also joins off the back of a remarkable Under-21 Euros tournament, where he helped England end their European trophy drought with a stunning last-minute penalty save.
£15m may end up being a bargain for the former Man City youngster, who is poised to enjoy a breakout campaign in East Lancashire.
Nathan Redmond has also joined on a free transfer from Besiktas and will add some much-needed top-flight experience to the roster.
Lawrence Vigouroux, Luca Koleosho, and Jacob Bruun Larsen are the other players to have joined Kompany’s heavily revamped squad this summer.
Meanwhile, Ashley Barnes is one of several notable departures thus far, with the legendary striker joining Norwich City after his contract ran out.
The Clarets also failed to retain the services of last season’s top scorer Nathan Tella, who returned to Southampton after a hugely successful loan spell.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Ian Maatsen have also returned to Man City and Chelsea, respectively, after their impressive loan spell.
Starting XI
Despite managing 17 clean sheets in the Championship last season, Arijanet Muric would be sweating at the arrival of the highly-rated Trafford.
Both goalkeepers are set to go head-to-head for a starting berth, but we expect Muric to retain his place as Burnley’s last line of defence.
With Maatsen and Harwood-Bellis leaving, Charlie Taylor’s experience could be vital for Kompany’s side in their top-flight journey.
While the Englishman starts at left back, O’Shea will partner Beyer at the heart of the defence, while Conor Roberts keeps his place at right back.
Josh Brownhill and Josh Cullen formed a formidable partnership in the middle of the park last season and should continue to anchor the midfield.
Redmond’s Premier League experience will be vital for the Clarets, so he should partner Scott Twine and Anass Zaroury in attacking midfield.
Having lost Tella, Amdouni could be the reliable goalscorer Burnley needs and should pip Jay Rodriguez and Wout Weghorst to a starting berth.
Here is our prediction for Burnley’s strongest starting XI next season:
4-2-3-1: Muric; Taylor, O’Shea, Beyer, Roberts; Brownhill, Cullen; Redmond, Twine, Zaroury; Amdouni.
Star Player
Cullen could be set for another impressive campaign at Burnley after winning the Players’ Player of the Season and Fans Player of the Season awards last year.
The 27-year-old was a vital cog in midfield, making 43 Championship appearances, and remains a crucial player who helps Kompany’s side tick.
His passing range, coupled with his incredible work rate and ball-winning ability, makes him a robust presence in the middle of the park.
Amdouni could also prove to be an excellent addition for the Clarets after his goalscoring exploits in Switzerland.
Prediction
As is generally the case in the Premier League, promoted clubs from the Championship are fancied to bounce straight back into the second division.
However, Burnley have recruited well this summer and could surprise many heading into the new campaign.
Although their dominance in the Championship is unlikely to translate to the Premier League, the Clarets have what it takes to avoid relegation.
However, it would be no cakewalk. Reaching the magical 40-point mark may be tricky, but Kompany’s side should be able to keep their noses above the drop zone.
Prediction: 17th
Also Read: Detailed Premier League season previews for all 20 teams.
