Burnley

Adam Cottier
BBC Radio Lancashire reporter

Burnley appear to have taken some risks in the market in recent times and not all of them have proved worthwhile.

Judging by what you have been sending in to us via our 'Ask about Burnley' form, the question for the Clarets appears to be not what they spend but how well they spend it.

Kyle Walker and Martin Dubravka look like shrewd, low-risk acquisitions given their rich experience, but past transfer windows have indicated Burnley are too often left with no return on their investment and that needs to stop.

There are several cases in point. Take, for example, Zeki Amdouni and Mike Tresor.

Before Lesley Ugochukwu and Armando Broja arrived this summer, they were the players Burnley had spent the most on.

Tresor has made one substitute appearance since making a loan permanent two summers ago. Amdouni made the last of his 27 starts for the club in May 2024 and was sent on loan to Benfica last season.

For two players who reportedly cost more than £30m combined, they simply have not appeared to be worthwhile signings.

Michael Obafemi is another. Burnley paid a seven-figure sum for him two years ago after a loan spell. He is yet to start a league game.

Given his recent injury record, some observers will now look at Broja as a risk. But with inflated fees across the board, PSR rules and a tricky market to navigate, it may turn out to be a productive, cost-effective move should he sustain his fitness.

Burnley need him to be a success where others who have been recruited to enhance the attack in recent years have fallen short.

It is not always about the amount of money a club spends.

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Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford claimed the Championship Player of the Year prize at the PFA awards in Manchester on Tuesday night.

The 22-year-old collected the award after helping Burnley to promotion last season, amassing an incredible 29 clean sheets in 45 matches and conceding only 16 goals.

Trafford was also named in the Championship team of the year for his outstanding campaign at Turf Moor.

"I'm very proud to collect these awards and of what we achieved last season," he said. "We consistently put in really good defensive performances and it was great to have been a part of that.

"I loved my time at Burnley and improved massively as a goalkeeper and as a person. I am hoping to take all that into the new season now with Manchester City and looking forward to continuing my footballing journey."

Espanyol are in talks with Burnley over re-signing Luca Koleosho on a season-long loan. (Sky Sports, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

And that, my friends, is where you have it.

The main difference between EFL Championship success, and Premier League survival. You must take your chances.

It was a shaky start for the Clarets, the occasion and newness of the league seemingly weighing on young shoulders. Perhaps they simply didn't expect to get anything from the game, and perhaps those expectations were right, but if you execute your moves even a couple of seconds too slow then you will get punished at this level.

The Premier League has world class, ruthless strikers in it. Burnley do not. And the second and third goals were scored in periods when the Clarets were genuinely threatening.

Which is not to disrespect the likes of Zian Flemming, Lyle Foster and Ashley Barnes of course. There will be games they compete in this season and score goals in. But the opening game was a reminder that the gap in quality in this league is deafening, and we need Armando Broja fit and hungry as soon as possible.

So that's the bad. Any good at all? Well, yes, actually.

Kyle Walker and Martin Dubravka showing the exact sort of class and experience they were brought in for. A side who still grew into the game despite the mountainous task ahead of them and chances that were still created.

It's a cliche, but it is still true: Burnley's survival will not depend on a loss away at Spurs.

My only other irritant from the game? Dubravka became the first goalkeeper to be penalised for the new eight second rule. Because of course he was...

UTC

Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

Burnley midfielder Josh Cullen says there are "plenty of positives" to take from the opening defeat by Tottenham, but admits the Clarets need more ruthlessness in both boxes to compete in the top flight.

Burnley and Sunderland are both interested in Copenhagen's Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Pereira, 25. (Teamtalk), external

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Tottenham and Burnley.

Here are some of your comments:

Tottenham fans

David: Amazing game - it was really nice to see the ball run so smoothly. I never really thought much of Richarlison, but now it looks like he is bound to have an amazing season. Go Thomas the Frank Engine! Choo choo!

John: Good win and nice to get three goals - even better not to concede any. The team looks like a unit that knows what its doing, playing like a proper team. Frank knows what he's doing.

Neil: A good start - three points and three goals plus a double for Richie - who, if he stays mentally and physically fit, will be a bonus. A lot still to work on for Frank, but after losing all those games last season, it was nice not to be worried all match.

Iain: Great win, but don't get too excited because there's another 37 league games to go. Frank's trust in Richarlison paid off and was, by a long way, the outstanding player, with Mohammed Kudus deserving applause for his performance too. Manchester City away next week will be a better test for Spurs' players. But football is a funny old game, so who knows!

Brian: Still a small sample size, but it is interesting to see how more or less the same squad as last year can look so robust, as if they are now playing with their whole bodies rather than just their feet. The best of the Ange era was still on display with Johnson's goal, but that was the icing, not the cake. Great start!

Phil: While it was a good start to the league, we were very lucky again. Just like the Europa League final. Attack was good but, yet again, very shoddy in defence - hence good luck needed.

Burnley fans

Chris: No surprises, but no worries - it's the Premier League isn't it. Just keep focused and don't panic. Great manager and keen squad to succeed. It will take time.

Jonathon: We weren't as bad as the scoreline shows but this is the Premier League. We can't afford to leave players free in the box when we have five at the back. We need attackers with actual quality as well. I feel like it's going to be worse than the Kompany season. Maybe I'm overreacting...

Alan: Crushed. I hoped Burnley would get a positive result, but it is the manner of the loss that is so disheartening. Defensive set-up beaten after 12 minutes and no way back. Another long season with nothing but disappointment to look forward to.

Paul: Judging from that, it's going to be a very long season. We simply do not have a credible goal threat. That will make attacking us easy for other teams. If we do not beat Sunderland at home next week we will find ourselves stranded at the foot of the table. And that will be that.

Tad: Last year, it took us until Christmas for the new players to gel together and understand the the manager's style. Thereafter, we looked unstoppable. And the starting XI did at least look like they'd played together before. The difference between the Championship and the Premier League is that you at least pick up points in the former while you're gelling. Whereas here...

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's opening Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

• Tottenham 3-0 Burnley

• Wolves 0-4 Manchester City

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Last season the three relegated Premier League teams were the trio that had come up the season before - Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton - while Burnley have either won promotion to the top flight or been relegated out of it in each of the past four seasons.

Tottenham away in their opening match of the campaign always looked a tough task for Scott Parker, against the side for whom he spent two years as a player - and it proved to be a miserable return for him and defender Kyle Walker, who played for Spurs for seven years.

The Clarets picked up 100 points in the second tier last year as they came second in the Championship, but their main strength was in defence as they kept 30 clean sheets.

James Trafford kept 29 of them but has since moved to Manchester City, with former Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka beaten only 10 minutes into his Burnley debut.

But Parker will be encouraged by how his side performed when 1-0 down and will feel annoyed his side were not awarded a penalty at the end of the first half, when Jaidon Anthony looked to be clumsily bundled to the ground by Pedro Porro.

Parker was furious his side did not get the decision, but as soon as Burnley conceded their second goal - something they did not do in any of their 46 league matches in 2024-25 - the game was beyond them and it became a matter of trying to keep the score down.

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley lost 3-0 away to Tottenham in their opening Premier League fixture on Saturday and boss Scott Parker believes his team will need to fight against the 'ruthlessness of the Premier League' with 'desire and passion' to get through this season.

"We were in the game, we started tentatively. We edged into it in the first half and there was a threat. For 60 minutes we're in it," Parker told BBC Match of the Day

"We missed a big chance at 1-0 and then that's the ruthlessness of the league that they score again. Overall a lot of positives and something to work on for us."

On Kyle Walker: "He was brilliant today. His experience and know-how and quality that's why we brought him here and I thought he did well for us today."

On more potential transfers: "I think it's something we're looking at - something we're trying to get in the market for and try to add a bit more depth to the squad. It's a difficult time of the year now and everyone's in the same position. Some real positives after a tough pre-season."

On Richarlison's second goal: "Incredible finish. They're the fine margins and the quality of the Premier League teams. I said to the lads we missed a great chance at 1-0 then they put one in out of nowhere. Pleased with some things but disappointed to lose 3-0. Early stages for us.

"The pressure rises every time you stand in this position. We've got a big challenge this year but it's one we will fight with desire and passion to be here."

Image source, Getty Images

• Burnley conceded three goals against Tottenham despite having gone through the entirety of last season's Championship campaign without conceding more than a single goal in any match.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Tottenham's performance

What did you make of Burnley's display?

Come back to this page on Sunday to find a selection of your replies

Mohammed Kudus makes his first Premier League appearance for Tottenham from the start. Fellow new boys Joao Palhinha and Luka Vuskovic are on the bench. Richarlison gets the nod instead of Dominic Solanke up front.

Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Spence, Gray, Bergvall, Kudus, Sarr, Johnson, Richarlison.

Subs: Kinsky, Danso, Joao Palhinha, Tel, Vuskovic, Solanke, Odobert, Bentancur, Davies.

Three debuts for Burnley today - goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and defenders Kyle Walker and Quilindschy Hartman.

Burnley XI: Dubravka, Sonne, Walker, Ekdal, Esteve, Hartman, Mejbri, Cullen, Laurent, Anthony, Foster.

Subs: Weiss, Worrall, Bruun Larsen, Ugochukwu, Edwards, Tchaouna, Flemming, Ramsey, Lucas Pires.

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Aston Villa v Newcastle (12:30)

• Brighton v Fulham

• Sunderland v West Ham - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Burnley - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Wolves v Manchester City (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy says he is not expecting Thomas Frank to win the Premier League in his first season, which is nice of him, but I wonder exactly when he is expecting it to happen then?

I'm a fan of Frank, who is so versatile with his formations and, despite whoever else Spurs sign this summer, they already have some very good players.

They will be pushing for fifth place, but I'm afraid I don't see anything but a relegation struggle for Burnley.

I have a lot of respect for Clarets boss Scott Parker and what he achieved winning promotion last season. Their record of 30 clean sheets in 46 league games was just phenomenal.

They are in with the big boys again now though and, while it is one thing keeping the likes of Plymouth and Oxford out, doing the same at this level is a completely different proposition.

This is a gimme for Spurs - the perfect fixture for them to get over the way they lost the Super Cup in midweek and for Frank to get off the mark.

Sutton's prediction: 3-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Spurs are required to put Wednesday's Super Cup disappointment behind them as they start their Premier League campaign against Scott Parker's Burnley.

BBC Sport looks at some key themes ahead of this intriguing clash.

It appears that trophies aren't quite like London buses for Tottenham Hotspur.

The club ended a 17-year wait for silverware by clinching the Europa League in May and 85 days later they almost secured another title. But Thomas Frank's new-look Spurs let the Uefa Super Cup slip from their grasp after surrendering a two-goal lead to a Paris Saint-Germain before an eventual defeat on penalties.

Frank was quite rightly "very, very proud" of his side.

"I think the players gave everything against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best," said Frank. "I think for 75 to 80 minutes we were perfect."

Attention now turns to Saturday's Premier League opener and fast start feels necessary.

Spurs ended last season in 17th with 22 defeats and 38 points – their lowest finish since 1977. They also took just three points from a possible nine against newly promoted sides at home, with victory over a desperately poor Southampton following defeats to Ipswich and Leicester.

Only the three relegated teams conceded a higher tally of expected goals against than Spurs last season, while the Lilywhites also ranked fourth overall for errors leading to shots with 41.

Traditionally, 40 points was thought to be enough for Premier League survival. But in the last 10 years, the average points collected by the team in 18th – which is a total that would need to be bettered in order to stay up – is exactly 32.

New boys Burnley collected 24 points during their last top-flight foray under Vincent Kompany in 2023-24, a campaign which ended in relegation. They also shipped 78 goals, but promise to be far more pragmatic this time around under former Spurs midfielder Scott Parker.

Unlike Spurs last season, Parker's side were a well-oiled defensive machine and conceded only 16 times in 46 Championship games as they stormed to 100 points and automatic promotion. However, the sale of star goalkeeper James Trafford to Manchester City feels a significant loss.

Trafford kept a Championship-record 12 consecutive shut outs between December and February and he has been replaced by former Newcastle stopper Martin Dubravka, who is 14 years his senior.

The experienced Slovakian is reportedly nursing a shoulder injury but whoever wears the gloves for Burnley this weekend is likely to be busy.

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist

How each promoted side starts the season is one of the best indicators when it comes to survival chances.

Every promoted side over the past 10 seasons with 11 points or more after 10 games has survived, while taking fewer than that has meant an almost guaranteed return to the Championship.

It'll be worth bookmarking this article and returning to it on 1 November. That's when all three promoted teams should have played 10 matches - although fixture dates can still be changed.

Incidentally, the two survivors - despite poor starts - were Bournemouth in 2015-16 (eight points after 10 games) and Nottingham Forest in 2022-23 (five points after 10 games).

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Lancashire's Scott Read gives his verdict on Burnley's chances this season:

The last time Burnley prepared for a Premier League season they'd just won the Championship title, and were comfortably the strongest side in the second tier.

They then spent around £100m in the summer transfer window and were still relegated.

However, despite relatively modest spending so far and losing key players from last season - James Trafford, CJ Egan-Riley and Josh Brownhill - I think most supporters will feel they probably have a better chance at bucking the trend this time around.

The likelihood is they will probably go down, but under Scott Parker I think they will give themselves the best possible chance to avoid it.

They will not be distracted about an idea of playing a 'brand of football' and a 'certain way' because that's how you need to be seen to be doing it.

The promotion last season - and the record clean sheets - was built entirely on a selfless attitude, and a pride in defending and being hard to beat. It is that approach that their season will be built on.

But a fast start is crucial.

Read the the full piece

We have looked into the age profile of Burnley's players for the 2025-26 season and recorded what percentage of minutes each of them played last campaign.

For the purpose of this exercise, we have deemed those under 24 as youth, between 24 and 30 as in their peak years and anyone over 30 to be a veteran.

The green represents new signings, who naturally did not play, red are those that have since left the club and yellow are all those that remain.

Burnley's squad leaned towards the more youthful side last campaign, with the majority of their players in the youth or peak categories and just 30-year-old Josh Laurent the only regular to border the veteran category.

Over the summer, the Clarets have lost key players in James Trafford, Josh Brownhill and CJ Egan-Riley, with a number departing from each of the age profiles.

To offset, the Clarets have brought in a number of new faces, spread equally across the categories with two in the youth bracket, two in peak and two more experienced ones. As far as over-30s go, arrivals Kyle Walker (34) and Martin Dubravka (36) are doing all the lifting in terms of experience.

Whether Scott Parker has enough nous in his squad will soon become evident for their Premier League return, starting on Saturday at Tottenham.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Tottenham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Parker confirmed there were "no new injury concerns", adding: "We have had a good pre-season. Picked up a couple of little niggles along the way but we are in a good place."

• He feels it has been "positive" and "crucial" bringing in players with Premier League experience, stating: "For the balance of the squad going into the season, we have signed players who have been in the division and understand what it looks like. It's a young squad, last year it was and this year it is, a young squad in terms of being in this league, but these players we have brought in are crucial for us."

• The Burnley boss acknowledged there are "areas we are looking at" but that "transfer windows bring their challenges" and there are "lots of factors and variables" that go into who they can sign. He added: "We have a big squad at the moment so no doubt some will be leaving, but over the next two weeks we will be trying to do more [business]."

• On trying to establish the club back in the Premier League: "The challenges for teams coming up is big. It has been well documented in recent years that they are very demanding challenges. But, we worked tirelessly for this past year. I feel like we built something fundamental in this group that is a bedrock for us and put us in this position. We are going to try and give the best version of ourselves."

• Parker said in an "ideal world you don't want a big turnover of players" but that is what relegations and promotions can bring. He added: "That is the constant rollercoaster. In an ideal world you don't want that and you want continuity. But what gets that is securing Premier League football and staying there. My job is to get the best out of players, build on what we had from last year and build culture for what is expected of new players coming in."

• On their readiness for the season: "We are in a good place. We have worked hard. I've put lots of demands on the team. But, you never know in this position until the season starts [how ready you are], and when it gets going you are always improving."

Catch up on all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has offered up his annual predictions:

20) Burnley

Last season: Second in Championship

Burnley, like Sunderland, have been making it clear they have no intention of suffering the joyless, timid, instant return to the Championship they experienced under Vincent Kompany, after Scott Parker brought them back up last season.

The Clarets have been busy bringing new faces to Turf Moor, although the departure of James Trafford to Manchester City after keeping 29 clean sheets in the Championship last season will be felt. He has been replaced by the experienced Martin Dubravka from Newcastle United.

Parker will look to veteran England defender Kyle Walker to give his team top-flight know-how, while all fingers will be crossed that injury plagued but unquestionably talented striker Armando Broja can stay fit after his £20m arrival from Chelsea. Much will depend on him.

Burnley also believe they have pulled off a coup with the signing of another Chelsea player - French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu. The 21-year-old has joined in a £20m deal.

It is a bold strategy but will it be enough to keep Burnley up? I have my doubts.

Read the full piece

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the second round of the Carabao Cup has been made.

The EFL Cup remains regionalised in the early rounds, with the draw split into Northern and Southern sections until round three.

Here are the ties involving Premier League clubs:

Northern section

Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United

Burnley v Derby County

Everton v Mansfield Town

Grimsby Town v Manchester United

Sunderland v Huddersfield Town

Southern section

Bournemouth v Brentford

Fulham v Bristol City

Oxford United v Brighton

Wolves v West Ham United

The 23 second-round ties will take place during the week beginning 25 August.

See the full draw over here