Bournemouth had a below-par campaign under Eddie Howe given the amount they had spent last summer.
However, there have been a lot of positives, and we take a look at three players who impressed the most for the Cherries this past season.
David Brooks
After arriving from Sheffield United for a fee of £10 million last summer, David Brooks enjoyed a stellar debut campaign in the recently concluded Premier League season. The 21-year-old scored seven goals and mustered five assists in 30 matches, and subsequently earned his place in the PFA Young Player of the Year shortlist.
Brooks offered more pace and dynamism, which made Bournemouth a much more dangerous side on the counter. He averaged one key pass and over two attempted dribbles per game for a side that mostly operated on the break.
Although it is unlikely Brooks will leave Bournemouth this summer, his performances won’t go unnoticed if he continues his excellent form next season.
Callum Wilson
It was a tough decision to choose between Jefferson Lerma and Callum Wilson. While the Colombian midfielder added the much-needed stability to the Bournemouth midfield, Wilson’s 12 goals this season were important in keeping the Cherries out of the relegation scrap.
Wilson ended the campaign as the club’s top goalscorer, but, it was his industry in the final third that helped the team. Indeed, the 27-year-old registered ten assists to his name while averaging one key pass per game.
The forward wasn’t shy of letting it fly either, having averaged over two shots per game – more than any other Bournemouth player this campaign. He will play a key role next season as the Cherries look to aim higher.
Ryan Fraser
Ryan Fraser was by far the most impressive player for Bournemouth this season. After a relatively quiet season last term, the Scot was involved in as many as 21 goals this campaign – making him the second most productive attacker for the Cherries.
Aside from that, his tally of 14 assists was only bettered by Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard in the 2018/19 campaign. The Belgian, along with James Maddison and teammate Willian, were also the only ones to eclipse Fraser’s tally of 2.4 key passes per game this season, which is impressive given the lack of quality Bournemouth have when compared to other big teams.
As a result of his performance, Fraser has been linked with a move away from Dean Court, with Arsenal reportedly interested in securing his services. It will be interesting to see if the Cherries will be able to hold onto their player beyond this summer.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
