Burnley boss Sean Dyche says he has assembled the best squad he has ever had at Turf Moor and Johann Berg Gudmundsson agrees. The Iceland international found it hard to break into the side on a regular basis last season despite the fact the Clarets were involved in the Europa League and all the extra games that incurred.
The winger started half the Premier League fixtures for the side and added another ten appearances from the bench. His contribution last season was decent even though he did not play as often as he would have liked as he found the back of the net three times and also added six assists.
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He is now desperate to get regular football this season but knows he can not afford to let his form drop in any way or pick up an injury as the fight for first-team places is harder than it ever has been after Dyche’s summer recruitment campaign. Dyche’s additions have strengthened his hand in every area of the pitch but in particular in midfield where he has a host of players to pick from.
Gudmundsson has a fight on his hands for a place in the middle of the park as Republic of Ireland international Robbie Brady is pushing for a return to the side, Jeff Hendrick has featured on the right hand side and Dwight McNeil is unlikely to be ousted from his wide role. Former Leeds star Aaron Lennon appears to be enjoying a new lease of life, so the 28-year-old knows getting into the side is not going to be easy.
“It is a strong squad and there’s a lot of competition to make it in to the XI,” said Gudmundsson. “That can only be a good thing because it makes it tougher to get in to those positions. “I think it is the strongest squad yet. It’s pretty much the same core since I’ve been here, we’ve just added more quality players to it. It looks really good. It’s only been two games, but it’s been a really positive two games.”
Gudmundsson has featured in the opening two games and says he is feeling the benefit of a full pre-season and feels fitter than he has in a long time so hopes he can keep his place in the side. “I just want to stay fit because when I am fit I know I can bring a lot to this team,” he added.
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