Promoted clubs: Burnley’s key men offer poise and pace

Adrian Clarke on the qualities Clarets stars Benson, Beyer and Zaroury bring to the Premier League

Adrian Clarke looks at three key players of the three clubs joining the Premier League in 2023/24, focusing first on Burnley.

Belgium star Benson produced a breathtaking collection of long-range strikes for Burnley last season.

Cutting in from the right flank onto his favoured left foot, the 26-year-old curled a string of unstoppable efforts past a host of Championship goalkeepers.

Benson was handed only 14 starts by head coach Vincent Kompany, but he made 19 appearances as an impact substitute.

Whether he started a match or came off the bench, he impressed. He scored 11 goals at a rate of one every 135.3 minutes during his debut season in English football.

In 1v1s the wide man has quick feet and a wonderful burst of acceleration that regularly help him skip past full-backs on the inside or outside.

Overall, he made 54 chance-ending ball carries, including eight goals he scored from a dribble. No individual produced more.

Always looking to get a strike on goal, Benson’s 3.63 non-penalty shots per 90 minutes ranked him second in the Championship.

The former Royal Antwerp winger only produced three assists, although an average of 2.12 key passes in open play per 90 minutes indicate he is a creative player.

Benson may not be a regular starter across 2023/24, but it will be a surprise if he does not make his mark.

His right-wing wizardry is sure to provide memorable moments.

German centre-back Beyer shone brightly during a loan move from Borussia Monchengladbach, so it was no surprise to see the Clarets sign him on a permanent basis this summer.

The 23-year-old is tailor-made to play in a Kompany side. Playing on the left of a central defensive duo, the right-footer is an excellent passer who boasted a 91.4 per cent accuracy rate last season, the second-highest in the Championship.

When the ball is at his feet, Beyer stands out from most centre-backs because he regularly wants to carry it forward.

Elegant, well-balanced, and quick across the ground, Beyer regularly dribbles past opponents on forays into the opposition half.

He made 27 ball carries per 90 minutes last season, the second-most of any player in the Championship, and by surging down the spine he consistently committed rival forwards and midfielders to make a challenge.

Averaging 8.5m progress with each carry, he was the catalyst for many attacks.

From these marauding dribbles, Beyer had four shots on goal and made five chances for others.

Beyer is a reliable defender who intercepts, tackles and blocks with distinction, but it is his confidence in possession that will attract attention in the coming months.

Spending another year working under Kompany, you can expect the 23-year-old to continue making impressive strides.

Do not be surprised if Zaroury produces moments of real inspiration in 2023/24.

Superb with both feet, the Morocco international is a difficult customer for full-backs to contain.

Kompany uses Zaroury on the left of his attack, and from that position he offers a regular goal threat.

He is excellent at making up ground to convert right-wing crosses at the far post, and when chances arise on either foot, he is good enough to find the corner with either foot

The bulk of his chances arrive when he chops back inside from the left, but in a creative capacity some of his best moments for Burnley have come by going outside the opposing full-back.

Three of his five Championship assists were from magnificent crosses with his left foot, so right-backs must be wary of allowing him space him down the line.

Zaroury’s pinpoint cross for Ashley Barnes against rivals Blackburn Rovers (below) was arguably the pick of his assists.

Zaroury is a bright spark who may struggle for consistent excellence at the highest level, but he has the talent to unlock the door on a Premier League stage.

Watching him and Benson weave their magic down the flanks in 2023/24 should be fun.