With West Ham United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Everton all recently reported to be sniffing around AFC Bournemouth and England striker Callum Wilson, the Cherries supporters had to be concerned that they could lose their top goalscorer.
Alongside winger Ryan Fraser, Wilson wrote his name in not only AFC Bournemouth history books but also Premier League history books with the duos record-setting year.
Wilson scored 14 goals and claimed 9 assists in 30 Premier League appearances last season, making him the leading goal creator outside of the top six.
7 of Wilson’s goals came from Fraser assists and 5 of Fraser’s goals came via Wilson, leading to 12 goals, a record during a 38 game Premier League season, beating the previous record in this format, the combination of Alan Shearer and Mike Newell from 1995/96, who scored a combined 11 goals.
With it looking increasingly likely that Ryan Fraser will depart Dean Court sooner rather than later, keeping hold of Wilson was imparative and whilst the previously reported five-year-deal did not come to fruition, Wilson has now penned an improved four-year-deal at Dean Court.
2⃣0⃣2⃣3⃣✨
Delighted to extend my stay for @afcbournemouth
Been a good journey so far, hoping for more success next season ⚽🍒 pic.twitter.com/PyV5weAgka— Callum Wilson (@CallumWilson) July 12, 2019
Wilson told afcb.co.uk…
“…While AFC Bournemouth may be known as a smaller club, we’ve got some really big ambitions here. Everyone is pulling in the same direction towards those targets and goals.
“I feel like as an individual, my game is constantly improving here at the club. I want to continue that progress and reach even higher targets. I’m really excited about what the future holds.”
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) July 12, 2019
Since joining AFC Bournemouth in 2014 for a reported upfront fee of £2.25million from Coventry City,
Wilson has made 136 league appearances for the Cherries, scoring 53 times.
With 33 Premier League goals, Wilson is 9 goals behind Joshua King who is AFC Bournemouth’s leading Premier League goalscorer.
King v Wilson
Neil Dawson wrote…
It is an interesting debate. My view is King is better than Wilson when he is up for it but Wilson tends to bring his a game and slightly less but still considerable talent every week. Up until last season, I would have picked King ahead of Wilson but the former has had a slightly lesser season and the latter has made huge strides in his all-round game and added better hold up play and assists. The bit I reserve judgement on though is King never gets a true run up front on his own so we have forgotten what that might be like.
I’m not suggesting King doesn’t try the same every week, he does, but he just sometimes bangs on it and other times ghosts it. He is a more instinctive finisher. We play 4-4-2 because our four best attackers can only be accommodated that way. Else you have left one out which on last seasons form is hard. It doesn’t help the team though so it’s one of those Lampard/Gerrard England situations!
Having one on the bench doesn’t add anything different either so we still lack that Kermorgant type who can attack crosses in the air, something both have as the only missing bit in their locker.
AFCB Lost in Brum wrote…
Wilson defends from the front, irrespective of the scoreline, every game. When he’s out of the side it’s far easier for the opposition to advance and even play through us. Simply put, Wilson consistently runs himself into the earth for us.
King, as you suggest, can ghost in and out. He sometimes does this pretend run. It’s that non-run players do when they’re being subbed; they’re trying to convince the ref they’re not wasting time but, despite lifting their arms and moving their feet more rapidly, they’re really just ambling off.
When King isn’t doing his non-runs he is fabulous. But, as Neil highlights, he’s less consistent than Wilson.
All that said, they’re both excellent players. – Join the conversation, click here.
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