Two Ins And Outs That Burnley Should Do In The Summer
Burnley have been the surprise package in the Premier League this season. Sean Dyche’s men were heavily tipped to drop back to the second division at the end of the season, after having earned promotion. But the Clarets have managed to exceed expectations with their performances and are currently seated 12th in the table, 8 points above the drop zone.
Burnley have particularly been a force to reckon with at the Turf Moor this season and have enjoyed one of the best home records in the league this campaign. With 6 more games left to be played, the Clarets look set for another season in the Premier League.
However, if they are to put up a better show in the upcoming season, a strong summer transfer window will be absolutely vital. There are several key areas that Dyche will need to address in the summer while he would also be looking to ship out a few fringe players to free up some funds and wages. With that in mind, here are two ins and outs that should happen at Burnley in the summer window.
Players To Be Sold
Michael Keane
The Englishman has been the best player for Burnley this season and as a result, has attracted interest from several top clubs in the Premier League.
While it may be confounding to see Keane in the list of players to be sold here, Burnley will not be able to match up to the stature of the clubs that are chasing him and will probably end up holding him against their will. And with Keane’s contract set to expire at the end of the 2018 season, the Clarets will risk losing him for nothing if they dont sell him. So, it would be prudent that Dyche lets go of the centre-back this summer and uses the funds generated from his sale to strengthen the squad.
Kevin Long
The 26-year old has been with the club since 2010 but has spent most of his years away on loan at sides from lower leagues. As a result, he has made just 28 senior appearances for Burnley till date. Only one of these 28 came this season, before he was ruled out for the season with a knee injury in January.
Having failed to break into the first team for quite a few years now, it isn’t looking likely that Long will have a future at Turf Moor once he regains full fitness. Burnley would be better served with letting go of the player while they can as they could lose him for free in the summer of 2018.
Players To Sign
Ryan Bennett
With Keane most certainly heading for the exit doors in the summer window, a new centre-half will be at the top of the shopping list for Burnley. They can look at Norwich City’s Ryan Bennett as a viable option.
The 27-year old is out of contract with the Canaries at the end of the season and there has been no talks of a renewal yet, which is quite baffling considering that Bennett has been a mainstay at the back for Norwich in the EFL Championship this season. The Englishman has made 32 appearances across all competitions and has largely been a solid and reliable presence at the back.
Considering that he will be available for free, a lot of Championship clubs will be vying for his signature, but the Clarets can offer him a return to the Premier League which would definitely appeal to him.
Danny Ings
The former Burnley man has failed to kickstart his career at Liverpool after joining the Merseysiders in 2015 and hasn’t been helped by two long-term injuries that have kept him out for a considerable length of time.
Ings has been able to make just 11 appearances for the Reds in the two years at Anfield, scoring just 3 goals. Only two of those 11 games have come this season, but with no goals to show for, his season was cut short due to a knee problem for which he underwent a surgery. It eventually ruled him out for the season.
With Liverpool set to bring in more options in attack over the summer, things look bleak for the 24-year old and a return to similar surroundings at Turf Moor could prove to be the right choice as he looks to resurrect his career.
