After scraping to survival last season, Burnley have lost key men and risk struggling in the Premier League in the coming campaign.
At the third time of asking, Burnley finally survived in the Premier League last season as their home form propelled Sean Dyche’s side to a 16th-placed finish.
The Clarets must now kick on, though, and avoid the infamous second season syndrome – but their summer business is the cause of some concern.
To their credit, Burnley have bought well, bringing in a number of players that look primed for Dyche’s system in Phil Bardsley, Charlie Taylor, Jack Cork and Jon Walters.
However, these signings have been offset by the key departure of defender Michael Keane – and Andre Gray has now agreed a move to Watford, according to the BBC.
Burnley’s 2016-17 campaign, where 10 of their 11 wins came at Turf Moor, was already going to be difficult to reproduce without losing two of their star men; of course, Joey Barton has also left.
After finishing just six points clear of the drop zone last term, Burnley could not afford to weaken their side this summer but – ahead of a season opener at champions Chelsea – they appear to have done exactly that.
The pressure is again on Dyche to deliver, both on the pitch and in the transfer market.
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