Burnley’s 2022-23 campaign in the Championship was an impressive one as the club were successful in securing promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. But what awaits them as they return to the big time?
Vincent Kompany’s first season as a manager in England saw him guide Burnley to a 101 point tally in the league and saw the Claret and Blues confirm the title against their biggest rivals, Blackburn Rovers.
Kompany isn’t messing around either, as he brought his side back for pre-season training days before the Champions League final was played in early June. Burnley will no doubt be ready and raring to go come their first pre-season match which is yet to be confirmed. With the squad returning just four weeks after their Championship campaign finished, the team will have recharged their batteries and still have the taste of champagne in their mouths going into the upcoming Premier League season.
Burnley’s transfer window acyivity has already started, as the Championship winners are set to confirm the signing of Irish defender Dara O’Shea from West Brom for a fee of £7 million.
O’Shea isn’t the only name being heavily linked with a move however, as Nathan Tella who was on loan last season, is looking at returning to the club permanently. Burnley are in talks with Southampton over a deal, which would see Kompany’s side spend upwards of £20 million on Tella who scored 19 goals for them last season.
Meanwhile, defender Ian Maatsen featured 39 times in the league for Burnley last season and the Claret and Blues are seeking a deal with Chelsea to permanently bring him back to Turf Moor.
Burnley are in a good position going into next season, as they clearly have owners who are willing to invest money into the club, which has already helped the club return to the Premier League. Now the focus will turn to making sure Premier League football can be maintained beyond this season at Turf Moor. That is a strong possibility according to many bookmakers and pundits, who heavily back Kompany and his side to remain in the top flight.
Burnley kick-off their season with the hardest possible opponent visiting Turf Moor, Manchester City. Kompany’s side host Man City on the opening day of the season and the Burnley boys will be hoping to burst the Blues’ bubble after an incredible campaign for Pep Guardiola’s team, which resulted in a dramatic treble and their first ever Champions League triumph.
It will be an interesting showdown, especially given Kompany’s background as a City legend and pupil of Guardiola. In the FA Cup last season when the sides met, City hammered their visitors from Burnley, with Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 win. Kompany will push his team to give a far better account of themselves under the lights on Friday August 11th in the opening fixture of the 2023-24 Premier League season, but it won’t be easy against the Champions.
After facing City on the opening night, Burnley will then travel to fellow promoted side Luton Town, as they will be the first opponents to visit Kenilworth Road in the Premier League. Burnley then have two home games, as they will face Aston Villa and Tottenham in their third and fourth games of the season before traveling to the City Ground for their fifth game of the season against Nottingham Forest.
