Burnley FC's best paid player under Alan Pace and whether Scott Parker is getting value | OneFootball

Burnley are among the Championship's best payers and we take a look at whether their best earner provides value for money

The ultimate goal for Burnley this season is to get back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, and with the season approaching its final third, the Clarets are certainly making a good go of it.

A string of 0-0 draws have harmed their chances of bouncing straight back, but the best defence in English Football League history has helped offset the disappointment and leave Scott Parker's men well-placed to challenge in the closing months of the season.

The January transfer window was a little disappointing for Burnley fans, as they watched on as their side failed to bring in a recognised number nine, which could certainly harm their promotion chances.

All the hassle of the January window is behind them now, and at least there won't be any additional off-field distractions for Parker to have to worry about now he knows that his squad is set for the remainder of the season.

Even without more new recruits, his squad is stacked full of talent, and so it shouldn't be a surprise that Burnley's wage bill is estimated by Capology to be the second-largest in the division.

Here, we take a look at whether Burnley's estimated top earner is providing value for money...

Josh Brownhill is estimated to be Burnley's top earner in 2024-25

Having just dropped out of the Premier League, Burnley's larger wage bill perhaps isn't a great surprise, and Josh Brownhill is estimated to be the biggest contributor to that, scooping £45,000 per week according to Capology's estimates.

That places him among the bigger earners in the Championship, but he's certainly made the impact to match his healthy wages this season, as he's by far in a way Burnley's top scorer in the league.

He's the club captain and probably among the first names on the teamsheet for Parker whenever he's available, so although his are the highest, it could be argued that his impact is also the biggest.

Aside from the statistical side of the game, his impact is evident when he's on the pitch as he's one of few leaders in the Burnley ranks, and he is sorely missed when he's absent from the Clarets midfield, as they found out in a laboured 0-0 draw against Portsmouth last weekend.

Considering three of the other four players in Burnley's top-five estimated earners are nothing more than bit-part players, Brownhill's wages seem to be massively justifiable given his importance to the team.

Josh Brownhill looks set to leave Burnley at the end of the season if things do not change

Capology's estimate of £45,000 per week for Brownhill is Premier League money, and it looks likely that he'll be playing in the top flight next season with or without Burnley.

Although that's probably good for the Clarets' weekly wage bill, it leaves a huge void in the middle of the pitch, with Brownhill reportedly attracting interest from Brentford, Everton and Wolves.

There appear few signs up to now that he'll sign a new Turf Moor deal, and the longer the scenario drags on, the likelier he is to depart at the end of the season, and replacing him will be near impossible for Burnley.

The attributes he brings to the table are difficult to find in the modern game, and without getting a fee for him too, replacing him will be a costly process for the Clarets.

Suddenly, his estimated £45,000 per week wages don't seem too bad when considering that finding a like-for-like replacement will probably set Burnley back in the region of £10 million.