Two Signings Who Could Help Burnley Finish Inside Top 10 Next Season
Burnley look all set for another season in the Premier League following their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend at the Selhurst Park.
The Clarets were expected to struggle in their first season back from the EFL Championship, but they have managed to put up a strong fight and have almost confirmed their status as a Premier League club for another season. Sean Dyche’s side currently occupy the 14th place in the league standings, with 39 points from 35 games.
With safety almost assured, Dyche will be looking at strengthening his squad for the upcoming season as he would look to build upon this season and put on an improved showing next campaign. Here are two players who will help Burnley finish in the top ten next season if the Clarets manage to sign them:
Kyle Bartley
The Swansea City defender has excelled in his loan spell with EFL Championship side Leeds United this season and has been one of their most consistent players over the course of the season.
Bartley has made 44 Championship appearances for the Whites this season and has chipped in with 6 goals and 2 assists – great returns for a centre-half. The 25-year old has impressed with his solidity and defensive nous and has forged a strong partnership with Pontus Jansson this season.
Leeds would have been definitely interested in making the move a permanent one at the end of the season, but the fact that they have failed to finish in the playoff positions and will remain in the second-tier for the next term might work against them. With his parent club Swansea also headed towards a drop, Burnley might appeal to him as they will have Premier League football to offer.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh
The winger from AZ Alkmaar has been in top form this season and has been scouted extensively by the Clarets along with fellow Premier League club Bournemouth.
The Iranian international Jahanbakhsh has become a key player for the Dutch Eredivisie side following his move in the summer of 2015 from fellow Eredivisie outfit NEC Nijmegen. In the ongoing campaign, the 23-year old has scored 9 times and has set up 9 more goals from 40 games and has emerged as a real hot prospect for the future.
With pace to burn and great technical ability, combined with the calm and poise in front of goal, he could provide Burnley with an alternate dimension to their attack on the right-flank, compared to the ageing George Boyd who is a hard worker but isn’t really much of a threat in the attack.
