With The New Boys In – Strongest Burnley Line-up After Their Summer Spree
After saving their place in the top flight by the skin of their teeth, Burnley have made decent additions in the summer transfer window before the start of the season. They beat Chelsea on the opening day and then drew against Tottenham Hotspur in their previous game, which was before the international break, thus making it a superb start to their league campaign.
Sean Dyche will be happy with the way things are going but will still be in a dilemma as to what his best XI would be, after he added a number of exciting players to the squad during the off-season. So how should Burnley line up? What is their strongest XI? Here is the strongest Burnley team that Sean Dyche can field this season when the squad is fully fit.
Defence
The manager is expected to stick with a compact 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1 system for most of the games this season. Tom Heaton, who is showing signs of form already this season should be the undisputed no.1 between the sticks for the Clarets this season.
James Tarkowski and Ben Mee have done an excellent job at the back for their side and Dyche should stick with them as his first choice CB partnership this season. They should be helped by Charlie Taylor on the left and Matthew Lowton on the right, to complete the backline.
Midfield
Steven Defour showed signs of form late last season and has been one of the best players for the side this season as well. He is sure to be a part of the four-man midfield and should be partnered by Jack Cork, who has put in a couple of decent performances in the midfield already.
Scott Arfield was used in an attacking role against Spurs while Jeff Hendrick helped them get past Chelsea in the first game. They are expected to take turns as Hendrick will be used against tougher sides to add mettle to the midfield while Arfield will add creativity against the smaller sides.
Robby Brady has been used on the flank and should play on the left-hand side of a four-man midfield while Johann Gudmundsson should start on the right-hand side of the midfield four. Both players have been in decent form and should be Dyche’s preferred duo on the wings.
Striker
Assuming that Dyche plays a 4-5-1, it would be tough competition between Sam Vokes, Chris Wood, Nahki Wells and Jonathan Walters. However, with 4 strikers at his disposal, it would be safe to expect Dyche to play a 4-4-2 quite often. Nevertheless, Vokes and Wood would be the top 2 options and they will fight for the starting role in a 4-5-1.