SEAN Dyche believes Johann Berg Gudmundsson is continue to show himself to be a proven Premier League performer as the Iceland winger continues to create for the Clarets.

Gudmundsson's tally of 12 Premier League assists since the start of last season is bettered only by the Manchester City trio of Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a fine start to this season after featuring for Iceland in the World Cup and Dyche believes he continuing to get better following his £2.5million move from Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2016.

"Johann continues to improve. I think his mentality continues to improve and that's important in a productive player," the Clarets chief said.

"In the Premier League you've got to have that driving force inside you. You become a big player by doing good things in games and I think that comes with belief in your own ability. He continues to add layers of belief."

Gudmundsson has already racked up four assists in seven Premier League fixtures this term, taking his new game to ever greater heights and suggesting he has even more improvement in him.

"That's what we hope, that's what he's working towards and that's what we as a team aim with him for," said Dyche.

"He's certainly got the quality to and his mentality is continually improving. He has the belief in himself and belief in delivering at this level; the World Cup, the Euros and all those experiences will add to that. I think he's a very, very good player and he continues to show that."

But Dyche insists he has to continue to display that form to be considered one of the Premier League's best wide men.

"You have to earn your spurs with that," he said. "There are patches when somebody becomes highlighted for a period, 'this player is a really good player', but I think year on year is when you really get recognised in the Premier League.

"Are you doing it for six months? Are you doing it for nine months? A full season? Or are you doing it beyond that?

"He's showing signs that he's going beyond that now. He's showing the signs of season in to season. That's when people start recognising you more because they say 'hang on a minute, he's not just a good couple of months'.

"He's continued to a level of consistent performance and consistent actions, whether it be assists, important moments in games, goals. There are a number of different markers. He continues to do well."