Following AFC Bournemouth’s draw away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, the Cherries sit eighth in the league table which is a remarkable place to be midway through the season for Andoni Iraola’s men.
The Cherries face a potentially busy transfer window with summer signing Evanilson picking up a serious injury which required surgery in order to correct his broken metatarsal in his foot.
Iraola’s second striker Enes Unal, who was expected to fill in for Evanilson, then had his season cut short as he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a training session.
The Spanish manager’s efforts with the southern club have allowed the Cherries to defy all odds and be ahead of some Premier League giants, such as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
AFC Bournemouth only sit one point behind last year’s Premier League winners Manchester City and only four points off the top four positions in which guarantee UEFA Champions League football.
Cherries fans now have a serious possibility of finishing in a European spot by the end of the season, this is something fans from Bournemouth could have never expected at the start of this campaign.
A key part of their success has been the balance of quality throughout the pitch, including a resolute defence including the likes of Iliya Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen.
Their attack is equally as blessed with quality through the likes of Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert, who have exceeded their personal expectations for this season so far.
A big step forward in the clubs’ development has been the creation of a new 57-acre training facility at Canford Magna which is expected to offer world-class facilities for the Cherries’ players to utilise.
AFC Bournemouth’s next Premier League bout will take place at St James’s Park with an early 12:30pm kick-off against an in-form Newcastle United this Saturday.
The Cherries’ further games do not get easier as they will then host league leaders Liverpool and third-place Nottingham Forest.
Dean Huijsen wins Cherries player of the month award