“Has to be first-choice” – Will Burnley’s latest signing be a guaranteed starter? The verdict

Burnley have confirmed the arrival of Oxford United defender Luke McNally, via the Championship club’s official website.  

The 22-year-old, who has penned down a four-year deal at Turf Moor, caught the attention at a lot of clubs during the early stages of the summer and into the back end of last season.

Tottenham Hotspur were one of those clubs, as per a report from Football Insider, with the Premier League outfit tabling a seven-figure bid for the League One defender at the end of March.

The young defender featured 30 times in the league for the U’s last season as Karl Robinson’s side drifted away from the play-off positions near the end of the campaign.

Three of our writers here at FLW have shared their thoughts regarding McNally’s arrival in Lancashire and whether he can emerge as a guaranteed starter at Turf Moor…

Carla Devine 

This is definitely a good signing for Burnley ahead of next season. Not only is McNally good defensively, but he scored four goals last season showing he is also able to contribute to an attack making him a good asset.

Furthermore, he’s definitely a signing that the Clarets need. Given the departures of Ben Mee, James Tarkowiski and potentially Nathan Collins soon, Burnley are crying out for defensive reinforcements.

However, as it stands, I don’t see him being part of the starting line up at Turf Moor. You have to bear in mind that Kompany is aiming to take his side towards promotion next season so they will need to be on top of their game.

That means experience will be wanted in the side and those who have already competed in the league. However in time over the season, providing he takes his chances, there’s no reason why we couldn’t see the 22-year-old’s role in the side increase.

Ned