Published: 17:30 EDT, 6 October 2023 | Updated: 17:30 EDT, 6 October 2023
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]]]]>]]>Slowly but surely, Vincent Kompany's Burnley are coming together. They were promoted from the Championship after playing stylish football, and Kompany, a student of the school of Pep Guardiola, is telling them it can work in the Premier League, too.
Tuesday's 2-1 victory at Luton was huge for their confidence. They could have been 1-0 down within 10 seconds as keeper James Trafford was 35 yards from his goal. But this is a consequence of how they play.
They push up as a unit to condense the space as they press high up. Only Manchester United, Tottenham and Saturday's opponents Chelsea have won possession in the final third more than Burnley.
Sometimes, though, his players can take this too literally and they need to make better decisions when in possession. There was a moment against Luton when Zeki Amdouni received the ball on the edge of his box, with four markers surrounding him. That is a recipe for disaster.
Amdouni is a real talent as the left-sided forward in their 4-3-3. Striker Lyle Foster has three goals in six games, thanks to his hunger and pace. Luca Koleosho, the right-sided forward, is quick and direct. Sander Berge is ghosting across the pitch from midfield. Charlie Taylor at left back has improved his passing. Connor Roberts at right back isn't drifting into midfield as much, with Kompany keen to keep his back four intact.
Vincent Kompany is telling Burnley their stylish football can also work in the Premier League
It's always a risk for newly-promoted clubs to try to impose their football in the Premier League but that midweek win will reinforce their belief that this is the best way forward.
Saturday's clash between Burnley and Chelsea could come down to whether the hosts stop the visitors from stealing the ball off them.
Burnley will play out from the back. But Chelsea's forwards will chase them down. Mauricio Pochettino's front three that beat Fulham - Mykhailo Mudryk, Armando Broja and Cole Palmer - look like a good mix. Pochettino has said you 'cannot buy confidence in the supermarket' but after getting his first goal against Fulham, Mudryk may come out of his shell.
Mudryk is a chaotic whirlwind, always operating at 100mph. Whereas Palmer is calmness personified. They'll press Burnley.
Pochettino likes to build a team around a core group, and eight of the 11 who faced Fulham have featured in every game this season. It'll be interesting to see if he sticks with Broja over the returning Nicolas Jackson. Pochettino has had injuries to deal with, but he is developing this team and a win will be further proof Chelsea are heading in the right direction under him.
Mykhailo Mudryk may come out of his shell after getting his first Chelsea goal against Fulham
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