Meet FIVE Burnley stars that fired Vincent Kompany’s side to the Premier League 

Burnley launched themselves back into the Premier League with a bang after securing the necessary 2-1 win against Middlesbrough on Friday to secure automatic promotion.

The Clarets spent just one year in the Championship, with the club’s chairman Alan Pace even noting 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 transformed team, long leading the league while juggling a strong FA Cup run.

This is partly due to the miraculous reconstruction of the team that Kompany guided after his appointment in the summer of 2022.

Here, Sports emails JACK GAUGHAN has selected five players who have been integral to the Clarets’ success.

Both Burnley and parent club Southampton are likely to compete for Nathan Tella next season

NATHAN TELLA

On loan from Southampton, Burnley will be desperate to keep Tella next season.

After scoring twice on his debut, the forward has scored 17 goals – including two hat-tricks – in 28 Championship starts this season.

It probably comes with a hefty price tag, but with Southampton languishing in the Premier League’s relegation places, Tella may not be prepared to stay in the Championship for another season.

Speaking of Tella after scoring twice in a recent win over Wigan, Kompany said: “When you look at the Nathan Tella we got through the door at the start of the season, at the things he’s doing now, he comes slowly moving towards a level where he fulfills some of his potential.

“In my opinion, he still has a long way to go, but it’s exciting to work with a player like him.”

JOSH KULLEN

The heartbeat of the midfield.

Played two seasons under Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht and was the manager’s number 1 target last summer after becoming vital to the side’s success.

In all, the manager has brought in eight players from the Belgian First Division and the Republic of Ireland international is a star.

Known for his great use of the ball, Kompany called Cullen “the ultimate team player.”

Josh Cullen was a crucial 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 selection player and he became the most important player in my selection’, Kompany said earlier this year.

“Then he came to Burnley, back in English football in the Championship, where he really started to help us, and he became one of the most important players in the team.

“The best way to describe him is, when you set up a session, Josh will perform at the highest possible level from that first pass. The last tackle he will make during the session will be the highest level he can do it at.’

High praise indeed.

TAYLOR HARWOOD-BELLIS

A rock in the back, the England Under 21 captain was an integral part of pulling away at the top before he was injured in early January, but after returning to full fitness, Harwood-Bellis returned to action seamlessly.

Currently on loan from Manchester City, Harwood-Bellis first met his manager as an academy player at Etihad and later joined Anderlecht on loan.

His growth under Kompany has been a sight to behold and there is a belief that more accelerations need to be made.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ career has been intertwined with Kompany’s since his academy days

“I think Taylor did exactly what I expected him to do,” Kompany said 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 quality is his attitude.

“He really has an excellent attitude and he has good habits of high-level professionals. His level is for everyone to see. I had him when he played at Anderlecht and he is a better player now.’

He added: “The player he is now, give him another year or two, he will be a much improved player again because he has the right attitude.” We are delighted to be a part of his development.”

ANASS ZAROURY

A bag of tricks, Zaroury was picked up from Charleroi in Belgium – another Kompany connection – and has been involved in great performances from the left wing.

The Moroccan winger scored December’s fastest Championship goal of the season in Burnley’s 3-0 win over Birmingham City in just 49 seconds.

Kompany has stated that Burnley might have missed out on the winger had they waited longer, that’s how fast his stock is rising.

Anass Zaroury was quick off for the Clarets with a milestone in December

‘He has a wonderful age; you know that if they do well, especially psychologically, players of that age are ready for men’s football,” Kompany said earlier this season.

“If you take it two or three years earlier, maybe they’re not ready for that level yet, but they’re ready and with every minute they play, if they can focus on their development, you see that kind of exponential growth . It’s a really good age to work with.’

JORDAN BEYER

Another mercenary, this time from Borussia Mönchengladbach, the central defender, who has a 92 per cent strike rate, is sharp in possession and strong out.

Given Kompany’s illustrious career in the position, there are few better teachers in the game than the Belgian and it shows in Beyer.

He could cost a lot of money in the summer, but Burnley have an option to buy during the season and will no doubt look to secure the defender’s services on a long-term basis.

A gem of a pickup in a loan market that Burnley has mastered.

The Clarets have an option to buy Jordan Beyer, which they will no doubt want to use