Burnley Premier League archives are revealed: The hardest defense line, key players and the miracle of coach Parker

After the end of the 2024/25 season, the Premier League ushered in another familiar "new face" - Burnley. This traditional club from Lancashire has returned to the top league in England with its indestructible defense and excellent team discipline. Not only did they set multiple defensive records, they also completed the upgrade with amazing 100 points, although they were only second in the Championship, but they did not damage their dominance.

coach Scott Parker's tactical adjustment and on-site command also contributed to the team's rapid reconstruction after experiencing turbulence in the lineup. As a Premier League promoted team, can Burnley continue his strong performance in the lower league this season? The state of the three key players, the stability of the defense line, and Parker's tactical scheduling will become the key to determining their destiny. This article will give you a comprehensive understanding of this old-fashioned force that adheres to tradition and continues to evolve.

1. Club Overview: The Origins of Burnley

Burnley is one of the most traditional clubs in English football history. In 1888, it became one of the 12 founding members of the English Football League. Before 1882, they were a rugby team.

In 1914, they won the first major trophy, the FA Cup. Then in the 1920/21 season, he won the English top league championship with a 30-game unbeaten miracle. This unbeaten record was not broken until Arsenal's "Invincible" season (2003/04). In 1914, Burnley won the FA Cup 1-0 Liverpool's golden age appeared in the 1950s and 1960s, winning the top league championship again, reaching the FA Cup finals, and participating in several European competitions. However, in the 1986/87 season, they almost fell out of the professional league and relied on their last fourth-level victory to avoid relegation. In the 1991/92 season, they won the fourth-tier league championship, becoming the second team in England to win all four-tier league championships after Wolves.

2. Modern history: The cycle from low to top leagues

In the first decade of its founding of the Premier League, Burnley mainly competed in the third-level England league. It was not until the 2009/10 season that they returned to the Premier League and became the first promoted team in history to win the first four consecutive home games, but they were eventually relegated.

They have successfully advanced to the Super League four times since then. In the 2017/18 season, under the leadership of coach Dyche, the team ended in seventh place and successfully advanced to the UEFA Cup qualifiers. This is Burnley's first return to the European arena in more than 50 years.

This season (2024/25), they have been promoted again, maintaining their record of returning to the Premier League immediately after all three Championship seasons.

3, 2024/25 promotion keywords: defense!

If you use one word to describe Burnley's promotion, it is: "defense".

conceded only 16 goals in 46 games, setting the best defensive record in the history of the English League. From December to March of the following year, they won 12 consecutive Championship games.

has scored 30 opponents in total and has never conceded 2 goals in a single game. It is the first team in history to score three-digit points (100 points and 101 points in the 2022/23 season) twice in the same league.

Despite this, they are still ranked second, becoming the first team in England to score a score of over 100 but miss the championship.

is not the strongest offensive end, but has the second scorer in the Championship - captain Josh Brown Hill. The most dazzling ones are the defense: goalkeeper James Trafford, central defender CJ Egan Riley and Maxim Estevich entered the All-EU Championship Team.

team coach Scott Parker also ushered in his third promotion in his coaching career. His team will embark on a new journey with a record of 33 unbeaten in the 2025/26 season.

4. Club Archives Quick View

Premier League Season Number: 9

Premier League Best Record: Seventh (2017/18)

Major Honors:

Top League Championship (1920/21, 1959/60)

FA Cup Championship (1913/14)

English Championship (multiple times)

English League One and English League Two Championship

Most Players: Ben Mi - 217 Games

Premier League Most Goals: Chris Wood - 49 Goals

Five, Analysis of the Three Key Players

1. Maxim Estevey

23-year-old French central defender Estevey is the core of Burnley's defense. He has excellent speed and judgment ability to chase back, has stable performance throughout the season, and often fills up in time before danger occurs.

He completed 41 blockades in the Championship season, with a success rate of more than 63%, a passing success rate of as high as 90.57%, an average of 62 passes per game, both offense and defense.

Estevey, who has full England season experience, is expected to continue to grow in the Premier League.

2. James Trafford, 1.98 meters tall goalkeeper Trafford can be regarded as the last iron gate on Burnley's road to advancement.

His save success rate in the 2024/25 season was as high as 84.47%, leading all goalkeepers in the Championship. According to Opta data, he blocked at least 12 expected goals.

He set a double record of consecutive English Championship wins (12 games) and a total season win (29 games), and is currently attracting the attention of many teams.

Traford's save hot map 24/25

3. Josh Brown Hill

As the captain, midfielder Brown Hill can both organize and attack. He scored 18 goals in the Championship and missed the Golden Boot with only one goal.

Brown Hill becomes the finisher of a critical moment without a striker. His "key opportunity conversion rate" ranks among the top in the league.

Although the Premier League is more difficult, his "back plug" ability will continue to threaten the opponent's defense.

Brown Hill's shooting position map for the 24/25 season

6. Head coach: Scott Parker

2024/25 season is the third time Parker has led the team to the Premier League. He lost many core players at the beginning of the season, but he still built the most difficult team to break through the Championship.

He rotates to use 6 different formations, but the first choice is 4-2-3-1. The midfield often uses a high-pressure pressing No. 10 position, while full-back Connor Roberts often transfers into the midfield to release Brown Hill to step forward.

As a former England international, Parker is known for building a team with strict discipline and tight defense. This "core hardness" will be the foundation for Burnley to establish himself in the Premier League next season.