We don’t need to look too far back to remember the somewhat inconsistent yet impressive displays that Burnley Football Club put in 2 seasons ago in their most recent trip to the Premier League. Having been unable to survive a season in their 2 jaunts to this league, Burnley will be hopeful the ‘Third Time Lucky’ saying will be backing them for that illusive 17th place.
Stability has certainly worked in Burnley’s favour as the manager and the majority of their players have remained in tact to fight back to the Premier League after winning the Championship last season! Sean Dyche can drill out some defensive displays from Burnley and I seem to recall value in Burnley’s rear guard in the 2014/15 season.
STAR MAN – Andre Gray (6.5m)
Gray was immense for Burnley last year, amassing 23 goals for the Clarets that ensured the title was lifted for the fans at Turf Moor. Gray joined from Brentford having scored 18 goals the season before and going further back we can see that Luton Town profited well from the young English talent, as he scored a whopping 47 goals in just 88 appearances. The lad has got goals in him, but can he cut it in the top flight? I personally think he can and for the Fantasy Premier League managers out there, he could settle in nicely as a third striker in our squads.
HIDDEN GEM – Tom Heaton (4.5m)
In the 2014/15 season Tom was a great fantasy football asset to have, keeping 10 clean sheets. This was only 4 less than the leader that year Joe Hart and beat the likes of Lloris, Begovic, Howard and Ospina on this statistic. Heaton was also 3rd in the save bracket with an impressive count of 130, that’s an extra 43 points! Had enough stats? Didn’t think so. Heaton also made 2 penalty saves that season, which put him 2nd in the rankings so at 4.5m, Tom is a massive hidden gem and a few wise managers will be signing him as a 2nd keeper, or maybe even their first choice!
BARGAIN OPTION – Ben Mee (4.5m)
Ben has been at Burnley for a while now after an initial loan move, starting his career out at Manchester City. As stated prior, Dyche and his men will attempt to create a solid back line, making it frustrating for the big guns coming to their turf. Ben will be key to this strategy and at a cheap price, I believe he will be the northern side’s most valued defender in Fantasy Premier League terms and is my bargain buy for Burnley this coming season.
Written by Matty Kaye.
