Bournemouth emerging as legitimate threat in 2017-18
The seaside club finished an incredible 9th in the table last season, securing their first top 10 finish in the top flight of English football. The Cherries have spent most of their time in the third tier, but the small club are looking dangerous after a few key player signings. Can Bournemouth compete with the big boys next year?
When Eddie Howe took over as manager in 2012, the Cherries were still grinding away in League One. In just 7 months, Howe secured a promotion to the Championship. After only 2 seasons in the second tier, AFC Bournemouth were promoted to the Premier League for the first time in the clubs’ history.
The 2015-16 season was a revolutionary and iconic season in the Premier League, after another recently promoted side upset the entire league to win the trophy against all odds. Unlike the glory of Leicester City’s unbelievable victory, the Cherries didn’t fare so well.
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Eddie Howe’s side fought their way out of the relegation zone and finished the season 16th. However, it seems that the magic of Leicester City’s campaign rubbed off on the club and gave them hope. Since last season and up until now this transfer window, the club has only improved.
This term, the Cherries stormed back and finished a remarkable 9th place, behind Southampton and the big 7. Under new ownership and the guidance of Eddie Howe, Bournemouth are thriving. Although the club have more money to spend on players than before, they are still bottom-feeders in England.
Relative to their Premier League counterparts, the Cherries have the fourth-lowest total monetary value of players across all 20 clubs. To achieve such success in the most competitive league in the world with only that to work with, is simply astounding.
The club executive management are very aware that they are in the beginnings of a “golden age”, and this is extremely evident this summer. Bournemouth are investing more resources into players than ever before.
The club have already completed three key signings so far. After picking up 30-year-old Premier League winning goalkeeper Asmir Begovic for $12,000 from Chelsea, the Cherries brought back experienced goalscorer Jermaine Defoe from recently relegated Sunderland.
To add to their newly renovated core, Bournemouth set an all-time club record with the $24,000 signing of Dutch defenseman Nathan Ake from Chelsea. Ake spent some time with Bournemouth in the first half of the season on loan. After Howe attempted to sign the Dutchman permanently in the January transfer window and failed, he got his man this summer.
The Cherries have added three proven world-class players who can play at an elite level to their already promising youthful side. England U-20 captain Lewis Cook had a breakout season, and if Jack Wilshere can stay healthy, the Cherries are looking to be emerging as a side to watch for in forthcoming years.
Next: Everton ready for top 4 finish?
European competition is probably not likely in the near future for the south coast side. However, if Everton continue to have a lackluster transfer window and Southampton slip up next term, Bournemouth will be serious contenders for a top 7 finish in the 2017-18 season.