Scott Parker undoubtedly lived up to his reputation as a serial promotion winner outside of the Championship this season at Burnley.
With the Clarets finishing second on a tremendous 100 points, Parker has now gained promotion to the Premier League three times as a manager, with the uphill challenge of keeping the Lancashire underdogs afloat in the toughest level now the difficult task.
Unfortunately, the freshly promoted team has had a less-than-ideal summer thus far, with CJ Egan-Riley closing in on a sad Clarets exit and Josh Brownhill’s future at the club allegedly up in the air after attracting interest from West Ham.
However, it does not have to be all despair and gloom as the Clarets count down the days till the Premier League returns to Turf Moor.
How might the Clarets appear in the Premier League? We’ve drawn up their ideal XI in the top tier right here…
GK – James Trafford
Burnley’s custodian James Trafford, like Egan-Riley, has been linked with Newcastle.
However, Parker and his team are confident in Trafford’s Premier League abilities, as evidenced by his 29 clean sheets last season.
RB – Connor Roberts
Connor Roberts is also expected to keep his place as Burnley’s starting right-back in top-flight action. He was another reliable presence in the Clarets’ fearsome defence last season, and he now has a season of Premier League experience with the Lancashire club.
CB – Victor Nelsson
Burnley’s first new signing might be 26-year-old centre-back Victor Nelsson, who would fill the vacuum left by Egan-Riley immediately.
Previously connected with a €10 million (£8 million) move for Nelsson in January, the 6 foot 1 Dane has demonstrated the capacity to excel in the high divisions during his career.
Before falling out of favour at Galatasaray and joining AS Roma on loan, Nelsson kept 11 clean sheets in Super Lig play during the 2023/24 season, finishing with an impressive average of 5.3 duels won per game.
With his time at Roma not going as planned, the Scandinavian may want to leave Turkey for good, something Burnley might take advantage of.
CB – Maxime Esteve
While the news of Egan-Riley’s impending departure will be disheartening, Burnley’s ability to retain his customary centre-back partner in Maxime Esteve may provide some solace.
The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace, but if the Clarets want to survive, they must keep Esteve.
The 23-year-old ex-Montpellier enforcer appears to be a natural fit for the Premier League, with a 91% pass accuracy average last season in league play, as well as confidence while rushing into several tackles.
LB – Josip Juranovic
While generally a right-back, Burnley’s lack of a primary left-back option may prompt the Clarets to sign reported target Josip Juranovic.
The “immense” Croat, as described by European football expert Zach Lowy, has been a goal-and-assist machine throughout his itinerant career.
That is evident in his 43 goal contributions, but it is his ability to play as a right-back, left-back, or even centre-back with ease that has aroused Burnley’s interest.
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