Walker's 'hangover' warning as Burnley chase fast start

What the report says

Burnley defender Kyle Walker has urged his new teammates not to dwell on last season’s relegation as the club prepares for a Championship campaign built around an immediate return to the Premier League. Speaking at the EFL launch in Manchester, the former England international said Burnley must start strongly and avoid any sense of complacency after dropping out of the top flight.

Burnley begin their league season at home to West Ham on Sunday, with both clubs having been relegated in 2025-26. The club have previously bounced straight back to the Premier League after relegation in 2021-22 and 2023-24, and Walker said that experience should help set the standard. He stressed the importance of mentality, responsibility to teammates and supporters, and treating the Championship as a demanding division where expectations are high.

The BBC Sport report says Burnley won only four Premier League matches last season and finished 19th, 19 points behind 17th-placed Tottenham. Walker, 36, who won multiple league titles with Manchester City, also described the move as a fresh challenge and said he is excited by the chance to help the club build momentum.

More broadly, Burnley’s task will be to turn last season’s disappointment into a promotion push while avoiding the pattern of slow starts that can undermine campaigns in the Championship.