Bournemouth are setting themselves up for long-term success

Bournemouth have had a quiet summer transfer window, but they have a trump card in manager Eddie Howe.

Bournemouth’s lack of transfer activity this summer compared to their immediate rivals might be seen as a hindrance to their ambitions. Brighton, Huddersfield, Southampton and West Ham, among other clubs who hovered around the relegation zone last season, have all spent well this summer. Bournemouth haven’t. Then again, they didn’t need to.

Eddie Howe no longer seems to inspire quite the same excitement as he did following Bournemouth’s promotion, but he remains one of England’s most highly-rated managers. Howe also genuinely loves Bournemouth, has a clear vision for what he wants the club to achieve and is constantly working toward perfecting their possession-based style of play. This commitment to his vision appeals to both players and fans, and it’s what will bring the Cherries more success in 2018-19.

Over the last few years, Bournemouth have spent big (by their standards), bringing in Nathan Ake, Asmir Begovic, Jermain Defoe and Jordon Ibe to boost the squad in the areas they were lacking.

The moves the Cherries have made this summer have been far less eye-catching, but will nonetheless improve the team. Diego Rico comes in at left-back, where he will compete with Charlie Daniels for the starting role. His transfer fee ($14 million) and age (25) suggest he’s the long-term option, but Daniels’ presence will ease the pressure on him to impress immediately.

Additionally, Howe brought in highly-rated youngster David Brooks to provide competition on the wing. Ibe finally showed glimpses of his quality last season after a fairly average first year with the Cherries, and adding Brooks will ensure neither him nor Ryan Fraser becomes complacent.

But in what is expected to be another close relegation, Bournemouth have two things above all that set them apart.

First, they have a settled squad. There will be no difficult adjustment period for a host of new signings. This is a unified group of players who will understand what’s expected of them from the opening game of the season.

Second, Howe has created an atmosphere of positivity everyone associated the club has bought into. Bournemouth have endured multiple rocky periods over their past three top-flight seasons, but where other clubs might buckle under the pressure, sack their manager or make some rash January signings, they’ve always maintained their faith in Howe to find solutions.

The Premier League mid-table is full of clubs with plenty of talent but lacking any sort of unifying identity. The Cherries are, with due respect to their players, some of whom are excellent, quite the opposite.

Howe has ensured everyone who comes to the club fits his vision, and has shown faith in multiple players who have been with the side since their days in the lower reaches of the Football League. This has allowed the Cherries to punch well above their weight three seasons in a row, and saw them win the most points from losing positions last season, six ahead of second place-Manchester United.

Bournemouth have won the hearts of many neutrals who were in the dark about the club before their arrival to the Premier League with their stylish play and tremendous self belief. This attitude goes a long way.

Howe has also proved willing to develop young players into first-team regulars. Lewis Cook made 29 appearances last season, and grew in influence as the season progressed. The 21-year-old, who captained the England U-20s to a World Cup win in 2017, shows a maturity and composure on the ball that go way beyond his years.

None of this is to say Bournemouth can’t still improve, particularly in the middle of the park. Harry Arter fell out of favor last season, and while Cook looks a very good prospect, he’s young and relatively untested. Alongside him, Andrew Surman is on the wrong side of 30 and may not have many good seasons left. Meanwhile, the Cherries are reportedly chasing Colombian youngster Jefferson Lerma, who would fit into the squad wonderfully should he make the trip from Spain to England. Lerma will have a season to adapt, which will suit him and the team.

As it stands, however, Bournemouth will enter the new season with much the same squad that ended the old one. That makes them stand out among the sides expected to feature in the relegation battle. Cardiff and Newcastle have been similarly inactive, but for very different reasons. Southampton, Huddersfield, Watford and newly-promoted Wolves and Fulham have both had very active summers.

Bournemouth’s long-term ambition under Howe will be a spot in European competition, as Burnley achieved last season. For now, the focus remains consolidating their Premier League status, and replacing veterans with younger players who will grow together over the next few years. Given all the money Premier League clubs are throwing around these days, it’s refreshing to see a manager with such commitment to his vision.