After staggering stats on the defensive front on their way to the Championship title, Burnley Football Club will enter the 2025–26 Premier League season with ambition and plans to use their summer transfer window wisely. Burnley FC’s manager, Scott Parker, along with the Club, has struck a balance between valuable experienced additions and complementing them with several players looking to make their mark as up-and-coming players looking to solidify themselves in a higher league. With this in mind, Burnley FC aims to simply survive this season, whilst competing in the Premier League’s top-flight teams.
This article with the 96.com app offers a thorough and validated preview of Burnley FC’s predicted playing XI ahead of the new season.
Here is the list of the Predicted Playing XI of Burnley FC for EPL 2025-26
Goalkeeper
Étienne Green
With James Trafford returning to Manchester City, Étienne Green will take his place as Burnley’s first-choice goalkeeper. Green stands tall, confident in the air and commanding of his box. Green brought a level head to Burnley during his appearances in Burnley’s promotion campaign. He combines calmness in pressure situations, solid shot-stopping, and the ability to use his feet and make accurate passes to ignite attacks, making him a significant figure behind the sticks for the Clarets in the Premier League.
Defence
Right Back – Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker reinforces Burnley’s defence at right-back with Premier League experience and leadership qualities. Walker may not be as fast as he once was; however, his tactical understanding, positioning, and defensive discipline mean he can be depended upon as a solid presence. Previously, he was able to provide Burnley a level of organised leadership and reliable support against the best attackers this league has to offer.
Centre Back – Axel Tuanzebe
Axel Tuanzebe brings a combination of strength, aerial threat, and calmness on the ball. After an extended period with Premier League experience, Tuanzebe is now ready to add dependability and maturity to Burnley’s central defensive lineup. He has shown his ability to read the game effectively, whilst also having the recovery speed to create an effective partnership with Estève, allowing them to build a strong defensive unit.
Also Read: Burnley FC Home & Away Kit 2025/26: Prices, Where to Buy, Official Links & Offers
Centre Back – Maxime Estève
Maxime Estève was an important part of Burnley’s success in the Championship. He showed a strong awareness of defensive positioning and defending principles. His ability to concentrate for long periods of time whilst being engaged in the game allowed Burnley to concede only 16 goals throughout the entire last season. Estève is comfortable in possession and is also able to create and lead organisation amongst the defence. He will be a stable pillar for Burnley’s Premier League aspirations.
Left Back – Quilindschy Hartman
Hartman’s energy and attacking instincts make him a dynamic option down the left-hand side. He has a knack for overlapping and can deliver an accurate cross, providing valuable width for Burnley’s attacking play. Hartman has good body recovery speed and tackling ability when defending, and at his age, with tactical discipline, he can excel in Scott Parker’s high pressing system.
Midfield
Central Midfield – Josh Cullen
Josh Cullen is an outstanding midfield rearguard with terrific discipline and vision. His accurate passing and retention of the ball allow Burnley to control the game tempo effectively. He can also break up the opposition by disrupting their play with an excellent tackler and intercept or which can assist others when he is defending. Those abilities, combined with great leadership on and off the pitch, ensure that in tough Premier League fixtures, there is stability in midfield, allowing others to flourish.
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Right Wing – Marcus Edwards
With the number 10 on the back of his shirt, Edwards will provide creativity and flair on the right-hand side. His ability to take on defenders with dribbling ability and direct dribbling creates unpredictability in the team’s attack. Edwards will regularly cut inside from the right to create a shooting opportunity or key pass; he will be relied upon to contribute both goals and assists.
Central Attacking Midfield – Jacob Bruun Larsen
As a central attacking midfielder, Bruun Larsen operates between the lines as the central creative element. He provides intelligent movement off the ball to help link play when his teammates try to transition from midfield to the attacking phase. Along with the offensive quality Larsen brings to the team, he also provides invaluable support defensively by pressing opponents as high as possible on the pitch while also supporting Burnley’s shape and work ethic.
Centre Forward – Zian Flemming
Flemming was Burnley’s top goalscorer with 12 goals during the promotion campaign, largely due to positioning and finishing, but also because of his physicality and ability to hold up play and bring others into the game. He is pressing forward, providing the first line of defensive actions from the front. Flemming’s goal-scoring instincts and second-to-none work rate make him a vital part of any offensive setup.
Conclusion
Burnley’s best predicted starting XI for the 2025 26 Premier League season combines an organised and resilient backline with a balanced midfield, and highly innovative attacking players. This squad would allow Burnley to compete in the league largely based on relatively even sharing of playing time across an experienced group of players, along with some promising young players, which embodies Scott Parker’s tactical identity of discipline, pressing and fast transition.
This setup would provide Burnley with the potential to establish themselves in the Premier League and bring some competitiveness to the fight for survival based on sound defensive and attacking characteristics.
