Burnley’s January transfer that may single-handedly win them promotion with the key difference he’s made

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The state of play at the top of the Championship table is offering neutrals a real rollercoaster ride, but one player could end up being the key for Burnley.

Before last night’s games, Burnley were sitting at the top of the league after defeating Coventry City at the weekend, with Leeds and Sheffield United dropping points.

The Clarets have been usurped by Leeds since, with a 0-0 draw against Derby not enough to keep the Clarets at the summit in the wake of Daniel Farke’s side claiming a narrow 1-0 win over Middlesbrough.

A supercomputer prediction has Burnley as champions come the end of the season, though, and if they do end up lifting the title, Scott Parker will be able to pinpoint one transfer that helped turn the tide.

• READ MORE: Sky Sports pundit makes claim involving Leeds United, Burnley, and Sheffield United to get ‘over the line’

Marcus Edwards has made a huge impact since joining Burnley

Burnley recruited well in January, but it’s the signing of Marcus Edwards on loan from Sporting Lisbon that has proven to be the real difference-maker in their title charge.

Before January, Burnley were a pretty dull yet very efficient team, building on a solid defence to frustrate teams and grind out tight wins.

Since then, Burnley have flourished in attack and started to really kill teams off as they smash their way to promotion. Based on statistics, it’s hard to argue against the theory that Edwards has sparked that change.

The fact of the matter is, before they signed Edwards, Burnley were scoring an average of 1.2 goals per game. Since he arrived, that figure has jumped to 2.2 goals per game.

Edwards has two goals and one assist in 12 games for Burnley so far, and had given the Clarets a completely new style of play in many ways, offering width, pace, and flair that they were sorely lacking before.

• READ MORE: Norwich City tipped to grab bargain signing of the summer, but Championship rivals are ‘keeping tabs’

Can Burnley keep Marcus Edwards beyond this season?

Naturally, Burnley will be hoping to retain Edwards for the long-term. The 26-year-old has joined from a team that regularly compete in Europe, though, so there’s going to need to be a significant pull to get him to stay at Turf Moor.

Promotion to the Premier League will help massively, and it is thought there is a purchase clause in the loan deal based that scenario.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	41	24	13	4	80	28	52	85
2	BurnleyBurnley	41	23	16	2	55	12	43	85
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	41	26	7	8	56	31	25	83
4	SunderlandSunderland	41	21	13	7	57	37	20	76
5	Bristol CityBristol City	41	16	15	10	53	44	9	63
6	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	41	17	9	15	61	50	11	60

The fact is, though, if Burnley fail, they will have no chance of signing Edwards permanently. But, after his performances so far upon his return to England, we wouldn’t be surprised to see another top flight team take a shot at signing him if Burnley can’t.

Fans believe Burnley’s transfers are key to their success since January. They’ll now need that success to be sustained for the next five matches if they’re to make it back to the big time and keep their star signing.