Burnley's record-breaking defensive season in numbers

Sealing promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, Burnley have enjoyed a sensational Championship season under the auspices of Scott Parker.

Fundamental to the Clarets' success in the 2024/25 Championship campaign has been their watertight defence which has broken a number of remarkable records.

We examine all of the record-breaking statistics which underline the imperiousness of Burnley's backline marshalled by the outstanding James Trafford in goal this term.

Burnley 2024/25 defensive records

• Most Championship clean sheets - 30
• Fewest goals conceded in a Championship season - 15
• Most Championship clean sheets in a row - 12
• Most minutes in a row without conceding - 910

At the heart of Burnley's defensive resoluteness has been the terrific Trafford in goal.

An England youth international, Trafford notably saved a last-minute penalty in the final of the Under 21s Euros against Spain in 2023 with the Young Lions claiming glory under Lee Carsley.

A youth product of Manchester City, Trafford signed for Burnley for £15m following the Clarets' promotion to the Premier League in the summer of 2023.

Although Burnley were relegated back down to the Championship in Trafford's first season, this year spent in the second tier has seen the 22-year-old flourish.

Between 21st December 2024 and 4th March 2025, Trafford went 12 Championship matches without conceding a goal, with the Englishman even saving two penalties in the same game during this run against Sunderland.

At 6ft 6 ins, Trafford is an imposing presence between the sticks and he is also an excellent distributor.

It is unlikely Trafford's record-breaking season with Burnley has gone unnoticed by some of the country's top clubs, with Man City reportedly retaining a buy-back option and Newcastle also believed to be admirers.

James Trafford 2024/25 statistics

• Clean sheets - 28 (1st)
• Clean sheet percentage - 65.9% (1st)
• Goals against per 90 - 0.34 (1st)
• Save percentage - 84.8% (1st)
• Penalty kicks save percentage - 100% (1st)
• Post-shot Expected Goals minus Goals Allowed - +11.4 (3rd)

(*Statistics refer to James Trafford in comparison to all other goalkeepers in the Championship in 2024/25. Source: fbref.com).

Burnley's defensive excellence in the 2024/25 season can also be attributed to their exemplary back four.

The Clarets have most commonly lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under Scott Parker this term, with a centre-back partnership of Frenchman Maxime Esteve and England Under 21s international CJ Egan-Riley proving formidable to say the least.

Wales stalwart Connor Roberts has played the majority of the season as Burnley's first-choice right-back, with the left-back berth occupied by both Lucas Pires and Bashir Humphreys.

John Egan and Joe Worrall have provided back-up for undoubtedly the strongest centre-back pairing in the Championship in Esteve and Egan-Riley.

Signed from Montpellier in February 2024, 22-year-old Esteve has developed into the jewel of the Clarets' backline, with the left-footed centre-back believed to be drawing transfer interest from clubs including Everton, Tottenham, West Ham and Milan.

Maxime Esteve 2024/25 statistics

• Pass completion - 90.3% (Top 7%)
• Touches (per 90) - 78.54 (Top 10%)
• Carries (per 90) - 45.72 (Top 14%)
• Shots blocked (per 90) - 0.91 (Top 25%)

(*Statistics comparing Esteve to positional peers in Next 14 Competitions in 2024/25. Source - fbref.com).