FOSTERING SA TALENT

South Africa will have a player in the English Premier League next season after Burnley’s promotion back to the elite league. So who are Lyle Foster’s Clarets?

- Dylan Appolis

Burnley were relegated from the Premier League on the final day of the 2021/22 season after finishing in 18th place following a difficult campaign in which their ability to punch above their weight finally diminished.

Their relegation came after six years in the English top flight, which ultimately led to the sacking of head coach Sean Dyche, later to move over to Everton.

Eyebrows were raised when Burnley appointed former Manchester City coach Vincent Kompany as Dyche's successor following his stint at the helm of Belgian giants Anderlecht.

Kompany's side boasts the division's best attack and its best defence and with their Premier League return, the former City captain is staking his claim as one of the top up-and-coming managers in the league.

"When we started the Championship season, I had an idea, but I said at the beginning, 'you don't know' (how things will go). It's a little bit the same with the Premier League," Kompany explained.

Another contributing factor to Burnley's success this campaign was down to them bolstering their attacking department as they signed South African striker Lyle Foster from Belgian side KVC Westerlo to aid inform star Nathan Tella in the final third.