Bardsley: Walker Will Be Crucial For Burnley On And Off The Pitch

Phil Bardsley believes the signing of Kyle Walker will pay dividends well beyond matchdays ahead of the coming season.

Speaking exclusively to Gambling.com, the former defender says Walker will bring great experience as the Clarets prepare for life back in the Premier League.

The 35-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the newly-promoted side – a move that reunites Walker with his former Tottenham and England team-mate, Burnley manager Scott Parker.

Burnley, who are 2/5 with football betting sites to make an immediate return to the Championship, will be looking for as much knowledge and know-how as possible as they prepare for a gruelling campaign.

Walker Brings Wealth Of Experience

Walker spent the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan at AC Milan and, before that, enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Manchester City.

While at the Etihad, he won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one Champions League. He also earned 96 England caps.

Bardsley, who played for Burnley over 50 times between 2017 and 2022, feels Walker is exactly the type of player the club needs.

“It’s not just on the pitch, it’s off the pitch and how much you can help the boys in the dressing room, and how you conduct yourself around the place,” he said.

“Obviously training correctly every day, and just helping and being a role model for the younger players.

“Kyle has got great experience, he’s a multiple Premier League winner and Champions League winner – so it’s what he can pass on to those younger players, and then it's up to them to absorb it and take it in.

“If you can't learn from somebody who's achieved that much in football, you may as well pack up.”

New Names Face Stiff Challenge

Walker is just one of several players Parker has brought in during the summer window as the club look to avoid a repeat of the 2023/24 season, when they were relegated with just 24 points.

Burnley have bolstered their squad with striker Armando Broja and midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Chelsea, along with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka from Newcastle.

Bardsley who will represent Manchester United in the Manchester Masters at the AO Arena on September 5, believes the signings offer a good blend of youth and experience.

“Broja is a bit unknown," the former full back told Gambling.com

“He's had spells in seasons where he's done okay. I think he's suffered a bit with injuries over his career too.

“But sometimes young players like him just need a break somewhere and to play regular football.

“I don't think he's had that over his career, and you can see that.

“So hopefully with regular first-team football he can show what he can do at Burnley, and provide them with some goals.

“It was a big blow for Burnley losing James Trafford to Manchester City, so I think it was important to get somebody in who's played at the level that's required.

“So signing Martin Dubravka was certainly a good, experienced signing.”

Championship Success Built On Defence

Burnley’s defensive performance on their way to promotion from the Championship last season was nothing short of remarkable.

They conceded just 16 goals in 46 games, setting the best defensive record in English League history. 

They also kept 30 clean sheets, equalling the all-time English league record, and never conceded more than one goal in any league fixture.

But Bardsley admits it will be tough to match those numbers in the Premier League.

“It will be difficult,” he revealed.

“In football, you want to ensure you are hard to beat and that's certainly what they were last season.

“They were hard to beat and they knew how to win football matches, and it’ll be similar this year.

“They'll get asked a lot of questions by the type of teams they're going to be playing against. But the foundations and fundamentals are there to obviously defend.

“They showed that last season from what they've done. So, I'm sure they'll have the same sort of plan going into this season.”