Monday 18 July 2016 09:44, UK
We take a look at the ways in which Burnley need to strengthen in the summer transfer window.
What are the key areas for improvement? Who could fill the gaps?
We examine the situation with the help of manager quotes and expert pundit views...
Jamie Thomas (Bolton, free), Robbie Leitch (Motherwell, free).
Joey Barton (Rangers, free), Luke Conlan (Morecambe, free), Matt Gilks (Rangers, free), Lloyd Dyer (released), Danijel Nizic (released), Matt Taylor (released).
Burnley boss Sean Dyche knows from experience how tough it can be to keep this team in the Premier League and so he'll be anxious to give the Championship title winners every chance for the forthcoming season. However, the Clarets are already facing a battle to keep hold of their captain Michael Keane who is the subject of interest from Leicester.
With eight players having featured in more than 40 league games last term, Burnley have a settled group. But Joey Barton needs replacing and goals will be a priority too given that Dyche's men scored only 28 of them in their last Premier League campaign. Much will be expected of top scorer Andre Gray but with Dyche favouring 4-4-2 expect signings as well.
Aston Villa's Ashley Westwood has been linked with a move to Turf Moor as Barton's potential replacement, while reports also suggest that Leeds left-back Charlie Taylor is a possible target.
The Championship is a division that Dyche knows well and that seems to be the main hunting ground - Burnley have already had a £3m offer for Derby's Jeff Hendrick rejected, and Sheffield Wednesday's Tom Lees has also been linked with a move, while relegated Charlton could be plundered; Dyche is reportedly close to signing Iceland winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson and could try to snare Addicks team-mate Nick Pope, too.
"We still have our level, it's as simple as that," Dyche told Sky Sports upon achieving promotion back to the Premier League in May. "Of course that money comes in but guess what? Everyone else is getting it as well. The market has shifted and you've got to be part of that market.
"Eddie Howe has done brilliantly at Bournemouth but they've spent something like £42m this year and the wages to go with it. We spent £10m last time. I'm not saying we'll spend that much but I'll be speaking to the board and saying, 'Look...the challenge is enormous, what can we do to have a real go at it?'"
"What you'll see with Sean Dyche and in particular from when he came up last time, is that he's not going to change his values. One thing he always talks about is the fantastic dressing room that he's got. He's lost Joey Barton, so he'll need to replace him in the central midfield role, but he'll be making sure that first and foremost, the players that he brings in have got the right character. He'll be hoping they can go one step better and stay up this season.
"There's a lot of talk of Leicester being after Michael Keane, so if he was to go,then another centre-back will be needed as well. Other than that I don't expect major signings because Dyche trusts the players that he's got. It will be just a case of bringing in a few players to mix into the dressing room."
