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After a change of ownership, much was expected from Burnley in this transfer window. Unfortunately, it followed a similar theme – picking up bargains here and there.
Major incoming transfers at Burnley:
1. Nathan Collins
Nathan Collins arrived at Burnley from Stoke City after a breakthrough season in the Championship. He made 22 appearances in the Championship, where he won 25 of his 31 tackles, made 27 interceptions, 59 clearances, and 13 blocks. Burnley moved in swiftly for the player, who is clearly showing bags of potential.
Nathan Collins will play under Sean Dyche, a great manager for a defensive player. Dyche helped improve defensive credentials of Nick Pope, Tom Heaton, James Tarkowski, and Ben Mee. He will be hoping to continue his development at Burnley.
2. Wayne Hennessey
Wayne Hennessey arrived from Crystal Palace after his contract expired with the Eagles. The 34-year-old Welsh international comes with bags of experience and will play second fiddle to Nick Pope. Hennessey will be hoping to push the England international for a place in the first XI.
Wayne Hennessey is an interesting addition to the squad, and one could even argue that it is the bargain of the summer. He has played over 100 Premier League games and was ever-present in Crystal Palace’s first team before Vicente Guaita arrived at the club.
3. Aaron Lennon
The former Tottenham Hotspur player rejoined Burnley on a one-year contract this summer in what is considered a surprising turn of events. Lennon left Burnley last summer after his contract expired, to join Süper Lig club Kayserispor. He made 36 appearances for the club but failed to score a single goal but registered five assists. He returned home after his contract expired with the Süper Lig club.
At 34, nobody expects him to be in the first team week in and week out. But he will be a good option for Sean Dyche to call up from the bench if he needs help.
4. Connor Roberts
Burnley signed the Welsh international from Swansea for an undisclosed fee. With his contract at Swansea set to expire in a year’s time, Burnley saw an opportunity to get a talented player at bargain money and took it. Now it’s time for Roberts to make the step up and prove he can make it into the top division as well.
5. Maxwel Cornet
This was one of the transfer sagas of the summer. Maxwel Cornet had made 252 appearances for Lyon scoring 51 goals in that time.
But after the financial crisis and lack of Champions League football, Cornet was unwanted at Lyon and was asked to find a new club. The player rejected the idea. Then began the saga. Burnley bid for the player, but Lyon rejected it. Then later, when Lyon did accept the bid, the player was unsure. But finally, Burnley’s persistence paid off and they got their man.
Major transfers out of Burnley:
Robbie Brady
The former Manchester United academy product ended his four-year stay at the club this summer. Initially joined from Norwich on deadline day of the 2017 January transfer window, Brady has been a dedicated servant for the club. The club certainly got a good value for the then club-record deal worth £13 million.
During his time at the club, the Republic of Ireland international made 81 Premier League appearances, scored four goals and made six assists. Lately, with injury problems, form and the rise of Dwight McNeil, he has found himself on the fringes of the first team.
A change of scenery will be good for Brady, who can revitalize his career by choosing the right club, where he will get a chance to play regularly. At 29 years of age, he needs to play regularly. Not only for the sake of his career but also for the hopes of his country qualifying for the next year’s World Cup.
Ben Gibson
Ah, what could have been? But Burnley’s club-record signing is finally off the club’s wage books. He joined from Middlesbrough after impressing in the Premier League. Why didn't this movie work out is still a mystery? He has a manager who loves defenders in Sean Dyche. But Gibson never managed to rise up and challenge the duo, Ben Mee and James Tarkowski.
He was shipped out on loan last season to Norwich, where he has found a new home. 27 appearances in the Championship were good enough to convince Norwich to pay the fee. Burnley eventually unloaded the player from their books.
Hopefully, this will be the start of something new for Gibson, whose career has stalled since he left his boyhood club.
Overall rating of Burnley’s transfer activity – C+
Burnley have done what they usually do. There is no doubt. But going into the summer, Burnley fans were so excited. They had a new owner, and their fans were hoping to see them spend money in the market. But in the end, it never happened.
Credit goes to Burnley for their ability to keep Nick Pope, who was reportedly a target for Tottenham and Arsenal, at the club. They also managed to keep James Tarkowski, even though there is the risk of him leaving for free at the end of the season. Maybe they should have cashed him in and made some money when they could.
