TOWSON, Maryland, Monday, August 21, 2017 - Off to a one win, one loss start to a second straight Premier League Campaign, the Burnley Management has done what for them has always been unthinkable. The Claret have opened the purse strings and paid a record amount of money to bring a player they believe will score a lot of goals to 'Fortress Turf Moor.' His name is Chris Wood and he has played in recent years for Leeds United. Wood also plays for the New Zealand National Team.
Burnley scored three goals at Chelsea in their stunning opening day win. But returning to almost always friendly Turf Moor for game two, the Claret were shut out by West Brom is a bitter 1-0 loss.
And the headlines in England show at least that they have proven an important point: they want to win in Lancashire. The BBC Headline read: Chris Wood: Burnley sign Leeds United striker for club record fee." Over the summer the Claret lost their leading scorer and one of their top defenders to higher bids from other clubs. It hurt the Claret. They believe they have a winning coach. They are sure they have a proven All Star quality keeper and a pretty darn good defense even with the summertime losses. But they didn't have a scorer. They have a player who gets his fair share of goals in Sam Vokes. They have signed Jonathan Walters from Stoke City. But generally speaking, Vokes doesn't create his chances and Walters hasn't been playing much for Stoke City, even though he is still scoring for the Irish.. Both Walters and Voke move without the ball and get open for passes from teammates. But neither are overly adept at creating their own space. A team trying to go places desperately needs a scorer who can score against even the best defenses.
The hope in Lancashire is that Wood will be that player. He openly admitted to the BBC that he wants to start for Burnley. He's never had a chance to start at the top flight. But he is a proven scorer. He is a prolific scorer. Will he score for Burnley, now, when they need him?
This is what the BBC said: "Burnley have signed striker Chris Wood from Leeds United for a club record transfer fee, thought to be about £15m.
The 25-year-old scored 44 goals in 88 appearances after joining the Championship side from Leicester City in July 2015.
The New Zealand international ruled himself out of Leeds' match against Sunderland on Saturday amid speculation about his future.
Wood, who is Sean Dyche's sixth summer signing, joins on a four-year deal.
He has found the net once in three appearances for Leeds this season, but said he is now relishing his chance in the Premier League.
"I've had tastes of being in there but I've never had the chance to give it a proper bash," said the former West Brom youngster. "Coming here I feel I've got a proper opportunity to do that. I've never started a Premier League game and this is what I want to do.
"This is a club that wants to stay in the Premier League for years to come and it's going that way."
Wood is eligible to play for Burnley in the EFL Cup after being an unused substitute in Leeds' opening-round win over Port Vale and will be available for Wednesday's second-round derby at Blackburn.
Burnley's previous record signing was January recruit Robbie Brady, whose fee could reach £13m."
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