Exclusive: Burnley Can Mix It with the Best in the Premier League, says Zian Flemming

Premier League hotshot Zian Flemming has no doubts the Clarets can mix it with the best in the top-flight this season, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

And if the determined Dutchman keeps finding the back of the net, then the Lancashire club will most likely avoid a second relegation in three seasons.

Flemming bagged a brilliant brace as Burnley stunned Wolves 3-2 at Molineux earlier this season, as well as finding the back of the net against West Ham.

Victories over fellow Championship promotion rivals Sunderland and Leeds respectively has shown that Scott Parker’s confident side mean business.

“We’ve shown that we can stay in this league,” revealed Flemming, who netted 14 goals last season as the Clarets won promotion back to the Premier League.

“We wanted to show what we can do and, so far, we’ve been competitive."

“But it’s also still early in the season so we have to maintain that competitiveness for the rest of the season to make sure we are above that red line."

HUGE CHALLENGE

He added: “100 per cent we can get better, we knew beforehand this year was going to be a huge challenge for us."

“It’s the same for every team that has come up, but also for other teams that find themselves in and around it [the bottom end of the table]."

“So, to see that we’re actually competitive, well that’s really nice and recognition of something we felt when we came up."

“A big challenge doesn’t mean you can’t take the challenge. I think we’ve looked at and gone ‘well, let’s have it then!’.”

Flemming joined the Clarets on transfer deadline day in August 2024 on an initial one-year loan deal, with the obligation to buy at the end of the season.

Burnley wasted no time in splashing the cash for his signature, a £7million deal which has already paid dividends.

The 27-year-old’s goals last season were pivotal to the Clarets getting promoted, while his goals this season are proof the former Ajax and Millwall ace can mix it with the Premier League elite.

Parker’s side pushed Manchester United close in a 3-2 defeat and only went down 1-0 to Premier League champions Liverpool.

GREAT EXPERIENCE

“It’s been a great experience so far,” reflected Flemming.

“For me it’s been the simple and obvious things, like walking into the biggest stadiums and playing the big teams."

“Just walking out on the pitch, seeing the big Premier League logo, it’s all those things which make this league feel so different from anywhere else."

“The Premier League is the pinnacle of club football, so I feel really privileged to be part of it."

“But it’s also been really enjoyable because it [this season] has come with results as well.”

Additionally, Burnley are reportedly favourites to land Bundesliga 2 hotshot Isac Lidberg in the January transfer window, as Scott Parker looks to bring in a strike partner to complement Flemming up front.

PARKER PRAISE

Flemming got his first taste of English football with Millwall, following a £1.7million move, rising to £2.5m with add-ons, to the Lions from Dutch club Fortuna Sittard in June 2022.

He went on to score 23 goals across two seasons at The Den before the Clarets came calling.

And it’s little surprise he’s loving life in Lancashire, working closely with former England international Parker and improving his game so he can really make a name for himself in the top tier.

“I’m enjoying it [working with Scott Parker] very much, from the beginning really,” said Flemming.

“He came in a little bit late with a lot of other lads and a lot of changes in personnel and the squad, which is obviously something that he had to deal with practically in-season already and the transfer window closing."

“But he has built an environment and a culture which is right up my street, which is why it makes it a really nice working place for me. He’s got the exact same standards and mentality as me. That’s a good fit," he concluded.