AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe believes it is now impossible for the Cherries to complete the lower league bargain buys that they had previously achieved in the past.
The Cherries have been regularly commended for achieving success in the Premier League, mainly with a squad built in the lower leagues of English football.
Up until the summer, the Cherries regular defensive back-line was made up of Adam Smith, Simon Francis, Steve Cook and Charlie Daniels, backed up by goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
That back five reportedly cost a mere £620,000 combined.
A regular midfield of Junior Stanislas, Harry Arter, Andrew Surman and Ryan Fraser cost in the region of £1million for the four players in total, whilst up front Joshua King and Callum Wilson cost a combined £4million.
Since promotion to the Premier League however the Cherries have spent big, in relative terms, on bolstering the spine of the side, Asmir Begovic came in from Chelsea alongside Nathan Ake for combined £30million.
Lewis Cook came the previous summer for around £10million, whilst Jordon Ibe added an attacking flair for £15million.
Howe told the Daily Echo…
“I hate to use the word ‘impossible’ but yes, it is almost impossible.
“I’ve always said we have looked at the lower leagues. It has been one of our staple areas to recruit players.
“But as soon as you are a Premier League club, a price which may be £1million to someone else becomes £3m, £4m, £5m, £6m or £7m and, before you know it, it runs into double figures.
“The days of finding a player for that kind of value are very rare.”
Your say…
AFCBilbo wrote…
Eddie saying in the Echo that we may no longer be able to find bargains like Daniels Francis and Arter because we are in the Prem.
Can understand that prices of lower league players go up because of where we are and the perception that we, therefore, have money but maybe we need a change of focus from British lower league players and should try casting the net a bit wider to find foreign talent.
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