Burnley top the Championship table under Vincent Kompany at the break in the season for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Jay Rodriguez also sits atop our mid-season Power Rankings.
Kompany took over the Turf Moor helm in the summer following the Clarets’ relegation in May after sacking Sean Dyche. The Lancashire outfit’s decision to appoint the Belgian has proven fruitful after 11 wins in 21 games. Burnley have also only lost twice to eight draws.
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No other second-tier side has lost fewer than five games so far this season, while Burnley also boast the best offence. Kompany’s team have rippled the back of the net 40 times to date while conceding just 23 goals. All in all, it leaves the Clarets three points clear in first.
Burnley also sit five points clear of the play-off pack at mid-season and 10 clear of Queens Park Rangers in seventh. Kompany can extend the Clarets’ margin over QPR, too, when the season resumes. His Turf Moor squad visit Loftus Road in their next game on December 11.
Sitting top of the pack will no doubt delight Kompany as he looks to claim Burnley’s instant return to the Premier League. Having 13 players provide the Clarets’ 40 goals and 14 lay on an assist will also thrill the Belgian. Ian Maatsen, 20, is also their only star to see a red card.
So, with the Championship season on pause for the World Cup in Qatar, HITC Football has taken a look at how the Burnley squad has performed in our mid-season Power Rankings…
1. Jay Rodriguez: Burnley’s top-scorer tops our Power Rankings at mid-season
Jay Rodriguez is Burnley’s top-scorer so far this term with nine goals and is atop our Power rankings at mid-season. The 33-year-old has worked hard leading the Turf Moor line across his 17 matches, as well. His constant hounding of defenders has made him the focal point.
2. Taylor Harwood-Bellis: Burnley’s rock ranks second in our Power Rankings
Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been the rock in Burnley’s defence to rank second in our Power Rankings at mid-season. The 20-year-old has started all 21 of their Championship games so far this term. His physicality and composed play on the ball have often also stood out.
3. Aro Muric: Kompany’s No.1 ranks third after some terrific performances
Aro Muric left Manchester City to join Kompany for £3m in July and justified his transfer as the Belgian’s No.1. The Kosovo goalkeeper has kept six clean sheets from 20 games. He has also pulled off a raft of important saves, even when beaten, and is regularly improving.
4. Jordan Beyer: A composed and positive presence at the back for Burnley
Jordan Beyer has offered a composed and positive presence at the back for Burnley across his 10 games. Kompany only signed the Borussia Monchengladbach 22-year-old on loan in September. Yet his skill quickly saw the centre-half secure his prominent role at Turf Moor.
5. Josh Cullen: The midfielder is showing why Kompany sought to reunite
Josh Cullen has shown why Kompany sought to reunite with the midfielder at Burnley after he left RSC Anderlecht. The bargain £3m addition has started in 18 fixtures and laid on two assists so far. He is also pulling the strings in the core and is smart while out of possession.
6. Nathan Tella: Southampton will be thrilled with the on-loan winger’s form
Nathan Tella will be thrilling Southampton with the form that the winger has shown since he joined Burnley on loan. The 23-year-old has scored six goals in 19 games, starting in 16, with only Rodriguez scoring more. His endless threat could help fire Burnley to promotion.
7. Jack Cork: A commanding presence in the centre of the pitch at Turf Moor
Jack Cork has provided a commanding presence in Burnley’s engine room so far this term. The Clarets captain’s calming presence has also helped them remain in control of matches. But he has not always had the same ability to keep possession and has seven yellow cards.
8. Ian Maatsen: A red card is not enough to blot the youngster’s copybook
Maatsen is the only Burnley player to receive a red card so far this season. But the 20-year-old’s sending off is not enough to blot the youngster’s copybook. The left-back has thrived at either end regularly across his 16 appearances, offering a lively and aggressive presence.
9. Josh Brownhill: A leader when sitting deep, but his impact has been mixed
Josh Brownhill has often led Burnley’s efforts when sitting in a deeper role. But his impact has been mixed – even with five goals and five assists – with some squads able to overrun the 26-year-old. He also missed the Clarets’ defeat to Sheffield United through suspension.
10. Connor Roberts: Kompany will want to see the defender find consistency
Kompany will want to see Connor Roberts find greater consistency in his game following the World Cup. The 27-year-old will play in Qatar for Wales but he has not been faultless at Turf Moor. So much, in fact, that the right-back only started one of their last five games.
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