Burnley midfielder Hjalmar Ekdal has openly admitted that the Clarets have embraced a more cynical, pragmatic approach in their Premier League return — a sharp contrast to their wide-open style under Vincent Kompany.
Speaking to Swedish outlet Aftonbladet, Ekdal revealed how painful lessons from their last Premier League stint have changed the mentality of the squad. With Scott Parker’s men making a solid start to life back in the top flight, Ekdal believes this shift in attitude is key to survival.
“Now we know what we need to do to succeed in taking points,” he explained. “That we need to lie low sometimes and be cynical sometimes. We know what it takes to take points. Maybe it’s not all about us playing great football, but we are more cynical and result-driven and also very close-knit.”
Lessons from Kompany’s era
Burnley’s last Premier League campaign in 2023/24 ended in relegation after conceding 78 goals in 38 matches, with Kompany unwilling to alter his expansive possession-heavy philosophy.
By contrast, Parker’s Burnley conceded just 16 goals in 46 games in the Championship last season, storming to promotion alongside Leeds United with 100 points apiece. That defensive solidity, coupled with a “results-first” mindset, has carried into the current campaign.
Ekdal made it clear: survival in the Premier League requires a very different kind of football.
Personal growth and criticism
The 25-year-old Sweden international also opened up about his personal journey since joining Burnley in 2023, admitting that playing abroad has forced him to develop resilience.
“Generally speaking, it’s now in recent years, when I’ve reached this level, that I’ve gotten to experience what it’s like to receive criticism. What it’s like to have setbacks. In Sweden it was very frictionless and gave me security and self-confidence. Now abroad, I’ve gotten to experience what it’s like to not always have that confidence.” — Hjalmar Ekdal to Aftonbladet
His honesty reflects a player embracing the mental side of elite football — and appreciating how the demands of the Premier League shape careers.
Burnley 2025/26 Stats Snapshot
| Stat (2025/26) | Burnley |
|---|---|
| Games Played | — |
| Goals Conceded | — |
| Points | — |
| Clean Sheets | — |
source: sofascore match data – 4 October 2025
(Stats to be updated after Aston Villa fixture.)
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William:
“Burnley’s pragmatism is not just a tactical shift — it’s an identity change. Under Kompany they were admirable but naïve. Under Parker they’re streetwise and difficult to break down. Ekdal’s words show how the squad has embraced this realism. The challenge will be balancing resilience with creativity to score enough goals.”
Key Insights
- Hjalmar Ekdal admits Burnley are “more cynical and result-driven” this season.
- Clarets conceded 78 in the PL under Kompany; only 16 in 46 games under Parker last term.
- Ekdal says he’s personally learned to handle criticism since moving abroad.
- Burnley and Leeds both earned 100 Championship points last season.
- Scott Parker’s men face Aston Villa (A) before hosting Leeds United after the break.
What’s Next?
Burnley travel to Aston Villa tomorrow, a tough test against Unai Emery’s Europa League contenders. After the international break, attention shifts to a high-profile clash at Turf Moor against Leeds United — the side that joined them in amassing 100 Championship points last season.
Those fixtures will test whether Parker’s cynical, compact Burnley can continue to defy expectations and collect enough points to stay clear of relegation danger.
👉 Is Burnley’s new ‘cynical’ style the key to survival — or will fans demand more attacking ambition later this season?
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *