With many people last season tipping Bournemouth for the drop, they managed to finish in the top half of the table, prooving their doubters wrong. Bournemouth are not looking to stop there, as they have already invested in the hopes of building on what was a great season for them last time out.
Currently, Bournemouth boss, Eddie Howe has bought in three new players, but could bring in a few more come deadline day.
STAR MAN – Jermain Defoe (8.0m)
Let’s face it, the man is a goal machine and he proved that in the past two seasons. Defoe was part of a shockingly bad Sunderland side that were appalling last season.
The amount of quality players that could support Defoe going forward added up, in total, to 0. Yet he still managed 15 goals in both of his last two seasons and doesn’t look like stopping.
That being said, this season he may have to contend with the closely priced Joshua King (7.5m), however they may feature together. King over his career has played all across the front line, but last season he played a large majority in a central role. Now take into account Defoe will step in and take the main striker role, that leaves King pushed either behind Defoe as a supporting striker, or out wide.
Defoe is the type of striker you want in your teams if you are a manager. He knows where the goal is and he knows how to score. So for that reason, Defoe has to be the star player for Bournemouth.
HIDDEN GEM – Adam Smith (5.0m)
It’s fair to say after last season, Bournemouth needed to improve their defence. Only four teams conceded more goals than them, and that is a problem when you are trying to stay in the Premier League. So why have I suggested a defended valued at 5.0m as a hidden gem? Because they have addressed that problem.
The signings of Begovic and Ake, but more importantly Begovic could be vital for the Cherries this season. He is a world class keeper with the potential to keep some of the goals out that Bournemouth were conceding last season. Begovic also adds potential value to players like Adam Smith.
Smith last season scored 1 and assisted 5 in the Premier League, and still managed to get 8 clean sheets. Now if Begovic can bump that up to around 12 or 13 and also keep the goals conceded tally down, the points Smith could score for his price would be huge.
BARGAIN – Asmir Begovic (4.5m)
I touched on it a little above but Asmir is a MASSIVE signing for Bournemouth. He was synonymous in his Stoke days for being hard to beat and back in the 2012/13 season he scored a whopping 144 points, ending the season priced at 5.6m! To put that into perspective here, only Tom Heaton scored more points than 144 last season with 149 and with keepers getting more bonus points these days, Begovic could prove to be bargain of the season
Overall Bournemouth have a pretty decent squad. Some good options there and some definite points potential.
PREDICTED LINE UP
Begovic
Francis – Cook – Ake – Daniels
Smith – Arter – Surman – Fraser
King
Defoe
If you have enjoyed this early view of the fantasy potential of AFC Bournemouth, be sure to check the other teams here.
Written by Kurtyoy (@Kurtyoy)
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