Promoted clubs: How Kompany has transformed Burnley

Adrian Clarke analyses the tactical approaches of the three promoted clubs and how they will fare in the Premier League this season.

Club analysis: Burnley

Winning the Championship with an impressive 101 points, Burnley have made an instant return to the Premier League - and from a tactical perspective they are unrecognisable from the side who were relegated a year ago.

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When they were last in the top flight the Clarets were known for their direct brand of physical football under Sean Dyche, but Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany transformed their playing style last season.

No doubt influenced by his former coach Pep Guardiola, the Belgian has developed Burnley into a possession-based side who control matches with their passing and quality movement.

In 2021/22, their last Premier League campaign, they had the lowest average possession in the division, ranking 20th for build-up attacks and 10+ passing sequences too.

As displayed in the table below, their philosophy is now the polar opposite to before.

Burnley 2021/22 v 2022/23 comparison

Kompany’s men dominated their opponents with excellent distribution and patient build-up play.

See: Why Man City will provide the perfect test

While they will find it more difficult to impose themselves in the same way against better-quality teams, Burnley will stick to their head coach’s core principles throughout 2023/24.

You can expect them to play out from the back, produce fluid positional rotation, pass with confidence and entertain inside the final third.

Hungry and well organised

Kompany is a head coach who demands constant improvement from his players.

Complacency never crept into his dressing room last season despite the comfortable lead at the top of the table, and much of that was down to the Belgian’s unrelenting thirst for high standards to be maintained.

This attitude was reflected in how well his team defended from front to back.

While they usually dominated possession, Burnley showed a great appetite for pressing. When they do not have the ball, they are well organised and willing to close down opponents with terrific intensity.

This aspect of their style will be even more important in 2023/24, so Premier League sides need to ready themselves for a Burnley outfit who will work hard to disrupt their play.

Kompany’s side win the ball back quickly and are excellent at converting turnovers into goalscoring opportunities.

Burnley's pressing stats 2022/23

Burnley usually line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which will occasionally switch to a 4-3-3.

In possession it is not unusual to see one full-back invert into central midfield, so when they build up the Clarets will often resemble a 3-3-3-1 or 3-2-2-3.

In essence they are an attack-minded side, scoring 87 goals last season, but that adventure rarely came at the expense of off-the-ball diligence.

Kompany, one of the Premier League’s greatest ever defenders, takes pride in limiting chances for the opposition.

In open play, Burnley were by some distance the hardest team to create chances against.

Burnley's defensive stats 2022/23

When Burnley get on to the front foot they are likely to provide plenty of entertainment.

Manuel Benson and Anass Zaroury are the eye-catching attacking players.

They are a pair of very skilful, pacy wide men who love to beat full-backs in 1v1 situations.

Between them they made 26 direct goal involvements last season, and both look Premier League-ready in terms of their ability.

The Clarets make their return to the top flight with a fresh identity, built by one of the game’s most promising young head coaches.

Visits to Turf Moor will provide a very different kind of examination in 2023/24.

Also in this series

Part 2: Burnley trio offer poise and pace
Part 3: How Heckingbottom has revived Sheff Utd
Part 4: Two key Sheff Utd players to look out for
Part 5: Why Luton's unique approach can ruffle feathers
Part 6: Luton trio can step up in the Premier League