Burnley v Watford: Sean Dyche’s side face cosmopolitan opposition

Image: Michael Keane (right) is one of 10 Englishmen fielded by Burnley in the Premier League so far this season

Burnley boss Sean Dyche is doing his bit to fill the Premier League with England players but on Monday Night Football his side hosts the division's most eclectic bunch. Find out why Burnley versus Watford is a game of contrasts...

Burnley have already fielded 10 Englishmen in their first five Premier League games on their return to the top flight.

Sean Dyche says Joey Barton was a delight to work with at Burnley

As well as England international goalkeeper Tom Heaton, there's Matthew Lowton, Michael Keane, Andre Gray, Ben Mee, Dean Marney, Lukas Jutkiewicz and James Tarkowski.

English players to feature

  • Burnley: Patrick Bamford, Andre Gray, Tom Heaton, David Jones, Lukas Jutkiewicz, Michael Keane, Matthew Lowton, Dean Marney, Ben Mee, James Tarkowski.
  • Watford: Troy Deeney, Ben Watson.

David Jones started on the opening weekend against Swansea but has since departed the club, but Patrick Bamford has bolstered the numbers by joining on loan from Chelsea.

Dyche is known as a staunch supporter of British players and coaches, arguing against the perception that foreigners are more talented than their domestic counterparts.

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Image: Dyche has spoken in the past of the issues English players face

Speaking last year, Dyche said: "It seems to me that if a British player does something, the reaction is, 'Oh yeah, decent', whereas when it is someone brought from other shores for a big fee it's, 'Look at that, isn't it amazing?'.

"Just because Harry Kane hasn't been brought in for £50m, it doesn't mean he's not a good player."

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Image: Troy Deeney is the only Englishman to start a game for Watford so far

In contrast, Watford have built their success on bringing in players from all over the world. In fact, the Hornets have fielded only two English players so far this season.

Captain Troy Deeney is a key figure but the only other Englishman to feature so far this season is Ben Watson - sent off on the opening weekend against Southampton.

Premier League 2016/17 - Appearances by Englishmen

Club Combined apps
Watford 6
Chelsea 10
Stoke 11

It means that only six of the 70 combined appearances by Watford players in the Premier League in 2016/17 have been made by English players - fewer than any other club.

Will Burnley's Englishmen get the better of Watford's worldly side? We'll find out on Monday Night Football.

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