For a bit of fun, we've used the latest edition of Football Manager to travel five years into the future, and taken a look at how Burnley's side shapes up. This is how the management simulator predicts the Clarets will be lining up in January 2026.


. GK: Angus Gunn
You join us in January 2026, where Burnley are in a relegation battle after bouncing back from the Championship at the first time of asking. Gunn is their new number one, joining from Bristol City for a bargain fee of £3m. Photo: James Chance

. RB: Kyle Walker-Peters
The ex-Spurs man starts on the right in the Clarets' new-look defence. He's in his fourth season at the club, and is one of their most consistent performers at the back. Photo: Michael Steele

. CB: Lee O'Connor
After loan spells with the likes of Rangers and Udinese, Burnley spent £20m in the last transfer window to bring in the Republic of Ireland international. He's not making the best of cases to replace James Tarkowski so far. Photo: Harry Murphy

. CB: Lewis Dunk
The veteran defender, now 34, joined the club for a mere £400k the previous season. Despite his advancing footballing years, he's still a real asset to the club, and plays week in, week out. Photo: PAUL CHILDS

. LB: Ricardo Rodriguez
Another experienced head on the field, the Swiss set-piece sensation is the starting left-back. He's got an eye-catching 17/20 'natural fitness' rating, which isn't half-bad for a 33-year-old. Photo: Marco Luzzani

. CM: Adrien Tameze
The goal-scoring midfielder is another new signing for the Clarets, who had a huge rebuild following their promotion. He's struggling to adapt to Premier League football, as things stand. Photo: Emilio Andreoli

. CM: Karol Linetty
Burnley completed their central midfield overhaul with the £20m Polish midfielder, who did enough during a brief spell with Watford to convince the club to invest. Photo: Alessandro Sabattini

. AMR: Demarai Gray
The former England youth star bounced between the likes of Torino and Norwich City after leaving Leicester City, and is now in his second season at Turf Moor. Photo: Alex Pantling

1. GK: Angus Gunn
You join us in January 2026, where Burnley are in a relegation battle after bouncing back from the Championship at the first time of asking. Gunn is their new number one, joining from Bristol City for a bargain fee of £3m. Photo: James Chance

2. RB: Kyle Walker-Peters
The ex-Spurs man starts on the right in the Clarets' new-look defence. He's in his fourth season at the club, and is one of their most consistent performers at the back. Photo: Michael Steele

3. CB: Lee O'Connor
After loan spells with the likes of Rangers and Udinese, Burnley spent £20m in the last transfer window to bring in the Republic of Ireland international. He's not making the best of cases to replace James Tarkowski so far. Photo: Harry Murphy

4. CB: Lewis Dunk
The veteran defender, now 34, joined the club for a mere £400k the previous season. Despite his advancing footballing years, he's still a real asset to the club, and plays week in, week out. Photo: PAUL CHILDS