Way back when, in June 2019, then AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe had somewhat of a goalkeeper conundrum on his hands.
Despite having senior goalkeepers Asmir Begovic and Artur Boruc at his disposal the former had shown a worrying drop in form and the latter looked on the brink of leaving the club as he was set to move into his 40’s.
The Cherries were being linked with various options to sign a new goalkeeper whilst also having England Under-20’s goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and teenager Mark Travers as options, however unlikely at the time.
In the end, Howe opted for Aaron Ramsdale, who after three seasons of being with the club following a £800,000 move from Sheffield United made his step up into the top flight of English football for the first time. It may have been a risky move, but Ramsdale would go on to win the fans player of the year award and earn a call up into England Under 21’s squad.
This season ahead of the 2020/21 Championship campaign, new manager Jason Tindall will be asking himself the same question as Eddie Howe did ahead of the last season.
Who should be the Cherries number one?
That’s because England Under 21 international Aaron Ramsdale and now been sold to Sheffield United in a deal worth £18.5million and Artur Boruc has left the club and signed with Poland Ekstraklasa champions Legia Warszawa.
Hey @BBCSport, @SkySports we’re officially announcing the premiere of “The return of the King 👑”
Photog. @mat_kostrzewa
🤴 @ArturBoruc#TransferDay #DzieńTransferowy pic.twitter.com/d0psILwJdz— Legia Warsaw (@LegiaWarsawEN) August 1, 2020
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— Aaron (@AaronRamsdale98) August 19, 2020
Asmir Begovic is still with AFC Bournemouth, but his future is unlikely to remain at Dean Court despite being set to re-join with training this week. Reports have suggested that he could be a target for Turkey Super Lig side Fenerbahce.
That leaves Mark Travers and another young hopeful 20-year-old Will Dennis as a potential option if Tindall doesn’t look to the transfer market.
Who should be AFCB No.1?
Travers
Begovic
New Signing
No idea
Southend United and former AFC Bournemouth Under 21’s assistant manager Mark Molesley has worked with Travers, both with AFC Bournemouth and at non league side Weymouth and he has been impressed with the Republic of Ireland international. He told the Daily Echo…
“Mark Travers, you could tell from day one what an ability he had.
“I don’t think I had ever been that close to a goalkeeper with that talent before and that potential. It’s such exciting times seeing players like that.
“When he came into Weymouth I was absolutely delighted again because he was so young at the time but absolutely no doubt about throwing him in. He was fantastic for us…”
“…For a goalkeeper, I think non-league is a great experience because you get roughed up. Referees aren’t as protective, difficult pitches, difficult circumstances and I think it’s a fantastic experience for goalkeepers, as proved with Mark Travers.”
Your say…
Bitzer wrote…
Well if Begovic goes we will need another top-class keeper to push Travers or cover for him. I have a feeling we will get a new number 1 in, I don’t think Travers has enough league experience, at least Ramsdale spent time at Wimbledon which was a great learning curve for him. – Join the conversation, click here.
