Stay or Go? Deciding Which Players Bournemouth Should Keep & Offload This Summer
By George Cannon
Bournemouth's five-year spell in the Premier League came to an end in July. A victory on the final day at Everton wasn't enough to preserve their top-flight status and the fairy tale is over.
Their relegation has already resulted in the departure of long-term head coach Eddie Howe and star defender Nathan Ake following a big-money move to Manchester City. The south coast club always punched above their weight during their time in England's top division but must now acclimatise to life back in the Championship quickly if they want to succeed in a notoriously difficult division.
Who stays and goes at the Vitality Stadium will largely depend on who new Cherries manager Jason Tindall decides to build his side around but with several star names and key players bought for big money in recent years, there could be quite a lot of movement in and out of the Bournemouth doors.
1. Goalkeepers
Aaron Ramsdale (STAY) - The 22-year-old shot-stopper impressed during his maiden Premier League campaign for Bournemouth. He only managed to keep five clean sheets in his 37 matches but considering he had a defence that had conceded 60+ goals in the previous four seasons ahead of him, only so much blame can be laid at his door.
Asmir Begovic (GO) - The former Chelsea keeper switched Champions League football for relegation battles back in 2017 but failed to find the form that earned him a move to Stamford Bridge. An uninspiring two years under Howe saw the Bosnia international loaned out to Qarabag and then AC Milan and the Cherries could do with getting Begovic's hefty wages off their books.
Mark Travers (STAY) - Travers made his Republic of Ireland debut last year and is highly regarded on the south coast. Conceding seven goals in his five appearances in all competitions last season won't have done the youngster's confidence much good but at just 21 years old there is plenty of time to improve.
2. Full Backs
Diego Rico (STAY) - Rico was one of Bournemouth's standout performers during the 2019/20 campaign. The 27-year-old contributed four assists in 27 top-flight appearances as well as recording the second-highest total of interceptions in the Premier League. Keeping hold of the Spaniard may be hard as he won't be short of suitors but Tindall will be doing everything he can to ensure he stays.
Lloyd Kelly (STAY) - Charlie Daniels' departure appears to have signalled Kelly's future remains at the Vitality Stadium. His arrival from Bristol City last summer got fans excited as the England Under-21 international is highly rated by many but Rico's form restricted the youngster to just nine appearances in all competitions. With many more fixtures coming Bournemouth's way in 2020/21, next season could be the year Kelly really makes a name for himself.
Adam Smith (STAY) - The right back has enjoyed a successful six-year spell on the south coast and although he failed to light up the Premier League, the drop-down in class should suit the former Tottenham man. He managed a fairly disappointing ten assists in 144 games in England's top division but his experience and know-how will serve the Cherries well next season.
Jack Stacey (STAY) - Making the leap from League One to Premier League football was never going to be easy and so it proved for Stacey. The former Luton defender struggled at times in his debut campaign in the top-flight but Championship football should allow the right back to prove his worth to the south coast side.
3. Centre Backs
Steve Cook (STAY) - So often Bournemouth's captain on the pitch, Cook will be vital to their Championship prospects in the upcoming campaign. The 29-year-old has performed diligently in a dysfunctional defence over the last few seasons and his leadership on and off the pitch remains as important as ever.
Chris Mepham (STAY) - The Wales international has struggled with injuries since making the move from Brentford two years ago. However, the centre back is rated highly at Bournemouth and, at just 22, his best years are ahead of him.
Jack Simpson (GO) - Simpson failed to make an appearance after his introduction at Anfield ended in disaster back in March. The academy graduate was robbed of possession by Sadio Mane deep inside his own half, leading directly to Liverpool's opening goal in a costly 2-1 defeat. Although he's only 23, Tindall may already have seen enough.
4. Midfielders
Jefferson Lerma (GO) - Apart from picking up 23 yellow cards in just two seasons at Bournemouth, it's hard to see what Lerma has done during his time in the Premier League. The Colombian is entering his prime years and with several seasons left on his contract, the Cherries could demand a good price for the former Levante man and use the funds to strengthen where necessary.
Lewis Cook (STAY) - It's easy to forget how good Lewis Cook was beginning to look in the 2017/18 season. He was rewarded with his England debut in March 2018 - his only cap to date - before a cruciate ligament injury halted his progress. The Championship can be a brutal division but it could also be the perfect place for Cook to rediscover his confidence and best form.
Philip Billing (STAY) - The Denmark international has suffered two relegations in a row now with Huddersfield and Bournemouth but neither have been through much fault of his own. The combative midfield man will be a standout performer in England's second tier and will likely draw attention from some Premier League clubs.
Dan Gosling (STAY) - Gosling has been a good servant to Bournemouth ever since his arrival from Newcastle back in 2014 but he's always looked more like a Championship player than one made for battling the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Paul Pogba.
Harry Arter (GO) - Republic of Ireland international Arter has spent the last two seasons out on loan at Cardiff and then Fulham respectively, playing a key role in the Cottagers' promotion back to the Premier League. A permanent move away from Bournemouth this summer is the most likely outcome for the 30-year-old.
5. Attacking Midfielders/Wingers
David Brooks ( STAY) - Keeping hold of Brooks could be the best piece of summer transfer business that Bournemouth pull off, though it'll be rather tricky. The Cherries' demise during 2019/20 had a lot to do with the 23-year-old's prolonged absence. The Welshman recorded seven goals and five assists in his debut Premier League campaign but a persistent ankle injury cut those totals down to just one goal and no assists in nine top-flight appearances last season.
Arnaut Danjuma (GO) - After just one unsuccessful season it may already be time to cut ties with Danjuma. The former Club Brugge winger failed to make an impression following his £16m move last summer. He didn't record any goals or assists in his 15 appearances in all competitions and Tindall may want to get the Dutchman off Bournemouth's books before his stock falls any further.
Josh King (STAY) - The former Manchester United academy player has been one of the most consistent performers on the south coast since Bournemouth won promotion five years ago. King's 50 goal haul in 170 games for the Cherries has seen him linked with a return to United as well as a shocking move to French giants Paris Saint-Germain. Convincing the Norway international to stay will be one of Tindall's first tasks.
Junior Stanislas (STAY) - The 30-year-old only made just 16 appearances last season after suffering a serious knee injury but he'll be a very useful asset for Tindall in the Championship. Stanislas' pace, trickery and eye for goal will cause many defences a problem as the Cherries attempt to bounce back at the first time of asking.
6. Forwards
Callum Wilson (STAY) - Similar to Brooks and King, keeping Wilson at Bournemouth would be huge for Tindall and everyone at the Vitality Stadium. However, this problem is the one that the Cherries are least likely to be able to solve given the England international's open desire to leave. The 28-year-old wants to return to the Premier League immediately in order to boost his chances of making Gareth Southgate's Euro 2020 squad.
Dominic Solanke (STAY) - The former Liverpool and Chelsea man's three league goals came in the last four games of the season. Eddie Howe must have been wishing the youngster came in to form a few weeks earlier. The lower level of opposition that the 22-year-old will be facing next season could provide a huge boost to his confidence and benefit his career, as well as Bournemouth, in the future.
Sam Surridge (GO) - Surridge only penned a new four-year contract in January but his consequent loan-spell at Swansea only produced four goals in 20 appearances. Bournemouth could still command a fairly sizeable fee for the academy graduate and may be better off cashing in while they can.