As new AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola makes his first impressions on the squad he has inherited, he has clearly stated that he will not be thinking too in detail on who he will add to the squad in the way of summer transfers.
The Cherries are expected to be active during the summer transfer window, but as yet have only added one new signing to the squad in the form of Justin Kluivert for £9.5 million from Italian side Roma.
Whilst there have been numerous departures in the form of Jordan Zemura, Jack Stacey, Junior Stanislas, Jefferson Lerma and Ben Pearson.
Former AFC Bournemouth loanee Matias Vina has been heavily linked with a potential return to fill the left-back void, whilst Inter Milan left-back Robin Gosens has also been reported to be a target.
With two senior players departing who play more of a defensive role in the centre of midfield, it’s widely assumed that an addition to compete alongside Lewis Cook, Joe Rothwell and Philip Billing will also be a priority.
But whilst Iraola will make it clear what type of players he would like to join the squad, he will not be making any specific request, instead leaving that job to AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake, AFC Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes and AFC Bournemouth assistant first-team technical director Simon Francis.
Discussing potential transfer window targets, Iraola told the Daily Echo…
“For me, it’s important they understand, and I’m sure talking to them (the board), they understand the way the team is going into play, the profiles we need, the things we need from the players, from each position.
“And I’m pretty sure they understand and they are trying to do their best.
“They’ve been working for a lot of months and they know the market much better than me. They know the players much better than me.
“I will have the club, I will give my opinion, I will tell them if I think one player can fit well in our system or not.
“But I don’t think managers should be the ones signing the players.”
He added…
“I’m much more focused on knowing the players we have – for me, they are new faces.
“We have to know the ones we already have, that we have been training and know where they can play in our system, what position they can occupy to perform.
“And obviously there will be new signings.
“But I’m not so concerned about the new signings because I have a lot of work to do before and I know the club is working on it.”
Your say…
Red_till_im_ded said…
State of play so far.
So, to the best of my knowledge as I haven’t been fully keeping up to date with things off the pitch we are out in Spain with one new addition thus far. The season kicks off in about 5 weeks time and it looks like we’ll be playing the two friendlies in Spain with the same team as last season minus Lerma, the biggest loss from last season. I know we are being continuously linked with this player and that player but it looks like the only one with real legs to me is Vina on loan for the season. I’m not bedwetting or being entitled but I am slightly surprised that we have added more to the squad yet. With Iraola stating that he is happy with the squad we have are we looking at realistically only one or two more additions when possibly we need more? I still believe we need a Right Back, Left Back, Central Defensive Midfielder, and a striker. I know there’s still loads of time until the window ends but isn’t now the best time to be getting players in?
northstandmark added…
After all the talk, I am a little frustrated with our lack of business/speed of business. Not managing to get new faces through the door to maximise their pre-season with us, particularly in defensive areas where we need to build stability.
I try to think of it as a game of musical chairs. Agents and players are dancing around a range of prospective clubs, us and others, and the music hasn’t stopped yet. We might even get beyond the start of the season in a similar state to now, unfortunately.
Sure we could snap up a few Championship players early because they’re well within our range (and I am surprised we haven’t got one or two prospects from there) but in going for more ready made players, who have more options we have more competition. – To join the conversation, click here.
We need to strengthen the defence definitely and we need a good goal scorer