Premier League 2017-18: Ranking the transfer windows of all 20 teams
By James Dudko
4. Burnley
Notable Ins: Jon Walters, Jack Cork, Chris Wood, Nahki Wells
Notable Outs: Michael Keane, Andre Gray
Burnley don’t boast the spending or pulling power to attract the big-money stars. Yet the Clarets have still made superb use of the transfer window this summer.
Manager Sean Dyche wisely retooled an attack limited and predictable for much of last season. There will be nothing predictable about Burnley’s forward line during this campaign, though.
Dyche has added Chris Wood, a serial finisher who has already proved his worth by earning the Clarets a point away to Spurs. Wood will be helped by the pace and industry of Wells.
The latter can play wide or through the middle. He can also stretch any defence and should form a terrific partnership with Wood.
Even a workhorse like Walters is an intelligent mover between the midfield and forward lines. He knows how to drag defenders into pockets of space away from goal, before spinning in behind.
Having better, more fluid movers up front will demand Burnley get less direct in how they create chances. It means the onus will be on Cork to prove his technical quality in possession.
The 28-year-old can thread passes between the lines. He will improve the way Dyche’s men play as the season progresses.