AFC Bournemouth youth team products Jaidon Anthony and Jordan Zemura have been one of the biggest highlights for many of the Dean Court faithful so far this season. The pair at times have shown a near-telepathic partnership down the left-wing this season.
21-year-old winger Anthony has stepped into first-team duties following the sale of Arnaut Danjuma over the summer and injury to Junior Stanislas.
So far during the 2021/22 campaign, he has made 13 Championship appearances (12 starts) scoring twice and claiming three assists.
21-year-old left-back Jordan Zemura has stepped into the Cherries back four following the sale of Diego Rico and Lloyd Kelly moving back into the centre of defence. It was first thought that the loan signing of Leif Davis from Leeds United would see Zemura playing a back-up role at left full-back this season, however, an early injury for Davis and the form of Zemura has left Davis without a place in the side since August.
Zemura has made 13 Championship appearances and has scored 3 goals this season, including a brace Barnsley.
The pair last signed contracts at Dean Court in December 2020 and Dorset Live have reported that the pair’s deal both expire at the end of the 2021/22 season, however, the club holds an option to extend for 12 months.
Whilst AFC Bournemouth head coach Scott Parker admits he hasn’t been ‘fully up to speed’ on the situation since the summer, he was keen to make his opinion on the situation clear, football first, contract talks second.
Parker told Dorset Live…
“I’m conscious that I don’t want discussions that go on too long, Those discussions will have to wait, if something can’t get sorted imminently. People in those places in Richard (Hughes) and Neill (Blake), they know my views.
“The players know my views as well. And my views are exactly that. If this is not a quick negotiation, then I don’t want there to be one. I want to get them to the end of the season and then we can sit down and discuss what these two boys are…”
“…They are young boys earning or trying to make a career in this game and they’ve done incredibly well, And what has made them do incredibly well is they’ve had one focus, which is football.
“They’ve focused on literally wanting to get in this team and become a part of it and that’s what has put them in this position. I don’t want anything to shadow that, waver that, mix up their thinking or blur them in any way that before you know it, their performance dips and they are out the team.
“Everyone understands that I’ve been very clear with the players and I’ve been very clear with Richard and the guys regarding that.”
Your say…
Kerási said…
These two have been an absolute revelation. Almost like dropping Daniels and Pugh back into the team. Can’t overstate the importance of these partnerships. If the contracts aren’t done already, we need to get them over the line. – Join the conversation, click here.
