It has not been the best of seasons for Burnley and their manager Sean Dyche. Poor form, injuries and a lack of recruitment has led to Burnley being stuck on eleven points from their first seventeen games.
The Season so far
They have conceded significantly less than their relegation rivals, but a lack of a clinical forward has been the Clarets’ downfall. Sixteen goals scored all season with only four coming from their recognised strikers is a real concern.
The Manager
Sean Dyche is approaching ten years in charge of Burnley, and has turned them into a steady, successful Premier League club. However, after six consecutive seasons in the Premier League, it may be the end of the Clarets’ stay in the top-flight.
Dyche has a contract until the end of the 2024/25 season, but if Burnley do go down, the Clarets boss will definitely have plenty of suitors.
Player of the season
In a team which has underwhelmed for my most of this season, it is one of the new boys that has stolen the show. Ivory Coast international Maxwel Cornet arrived at Turf Moor from French club Lyon for £13.5 million and has certainly hit the ground running.
Cornet has six goals so far this season for the Lancashire side, with eye-catching performances against Southampton and Leicester City earlier in the season ensuring his status as a fan favourite at the club.
Signing of the season
The issue with Burnley’s transfer dealings from the summer are that Cornet has been the only standout transfer for the Clarets. Now, their star man will be absent during a critical first month of 2022, with Cornet away with Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations.
Conor Roberts has been out injured for a prolonged period since signing from Swansea City, and Nathan Collins has been unable to break through since his move from Stoke City. Aaron Lennon resigned on a short-term deal, but without Cornet, Burnley are set to be usurped by their relegation rivals.
Most disappointing player so far
Chris Wood has been one of Burnley’s standout players since he joined the club from Leeds in 2017. However, this season we are yet to see the best from the New Zealander.
Three goals so far this season is a poor return, when you consider how dominant Burnley have been aerially, players like Wood and Ashley Barnes should be thriving. Sadly, it just has not clicked this season, and a freshen up of the strike force should be Burnley’s priority this transfer window if they are to stay in the Premier League.
Grade so far: D-
