Burnley launched themselves back into the Premier League with a bang after securing the necessary 2-1 victory against Middlesbrough on Friday to secure automatic promotion.
The Clarets only spent a year in the Championship, with the club’s chairman Alan Pace even remarking that they had expected their reinstallation to the top flight to take ‘two or three years’.
But under manager Vincent Kompany, Burnley have been a team transformed, long leading the pack in the league whilst juggling a strong FA Cup run.
This is thanks in part to the miraculous squad rebuild that Kompany oversaw following his appointment in the summer of 2022.
Here, Sportsmail’s JACK GAUGHAN has picked out five players that have been integral to the Clarets’ success.
Vincent Kompany’s promotion-winning Burnley side is stuffed with young talents
Both Burnley and parent club Southampton will likely tussle for Nathan Tella next season
NATHAN TELLA
On loan from Southampton, Burnley will be desperate to keep hold of Tella next season.
After scoring twice on his debut, the forward has gone on to notch up 17 goals – including two hat-tricks – in 28 Championship starts this term.
Likely to come with a hefty price tag, but with Southampton languishing in the relegation places in the Premier League, Tella might be unwilling to stay in the Championship for another season.
Speaking about Tella after he scored twice in a recent win over Wigan, Kompany said: ‘If you look at the Nathan Tella we got through the door at the very beginning of the season, to the things he does now, he’s slowly getting to a level where he’s fulfilling some of his potential.
‘In my opinion he’s still got a long way to go, but it’s exciting to work with a player like him.’
JOSH CULLEN
The heartbeat of the midfield.
Played under Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht for two seasons and was the manager’s No 1 target last summer, having become vital to the side’s success.
All told, the manager signed eight players from the Belgian First Division and the Republic of Ireland international is a standout.
Noted for his terrific use of the ball, Kompany called Cullen ‘the ultimate team player’.
Josh Cullen was a pivotal part of Kompany’s Anderlect squad and moved with the coach
‘The best way to describe Josh [Cullen] is that he came to Anderlecht, from Charlton, as a squad player and he became the most important player in my squad,’ Kompany said earlier this year.
‘Then he came to Burnley, back in English football in the Championship, where he was really going to help us out, and he became one of the most important players in the team.
‘The best way to describe him is, if you set up a session, from that first pass Josh will perform to the highest possible standard. The last tackle he will make in the session will be at the highest standard that he can do it at too.’
High praise indeed.
TAYLOR HARWOOD-BELLIS
A rock at the back, the England Under 21 captain was integral in them pulling away at the top before injury struck in early January, but after returning to full fitness, Harwood-Bellis has made a seamless return to action.
Currently on loan from Manchester City, Harwood-Bellis first met his manager as an academy player at the Etihad, and later joined him with a loan spell at Anderlecht.
His growth under Kompany has been a sight to behold and there is a belief there are more gears to go through.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ career has intertwined with Kompany’s since his academy days
‘I think Taylor has done exactly what I’ve expected him to do,’ Kompany told Lancs Live this week.
‘I’ve known Taylor since he was a very young footballer before he was even a first-team player, and his one outstanding attribute is his attitude.
‘He really has an outstanding attitude and he’s got good habits of high-level professionals. His level is for everyone to see. I had him when he was at Anderlecht, and he’s a better player now.’
He added: ‘The player he is now today, give him another year or two, he’s going to be a much-improved player again because he has the right attitude. We’re excited to be a part of his development.’
ANASS ZAROURY
A box of tricks, Zaroury was picked up from Charleroi in Belgium – another Kompany connection – and has chipped in with big performances from the left wing.
The Moroccan winger scored the fastest Championship goal of the season in December in Burnley’s 3-0 victory over Birmingham City, netting in just 49 seconds.
Anass Zaroury was quick off the mark for the Clarets with a landmark showing in December
JORDAN BEYER
Another loanee, this time from Borussia Monchengladbach, the central defender, who has a pass completion rate of 92%, is sharp in possession and strong out of it.
Beyer could cost significant money in the summer, but Burnley have an option to buy at the season, and will no doubt look to secure the defender’s services long-term.
The Clarets have an option to buy loanee Jordan Beyer which they will no doubt want to use
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