With the end of the 2021 summer window, Nerve Sport take a look at the chosen seven players brought in by Bournemouth as they strive for promotion to the Premier League.
After failing to rebound back to the EPL last season, it was clear that the Cherries needed to freshen things up, and with this came Scott Parker. The head coach has been at the forefront of the window with his evident desire to reinforce the squad and constant dialogue with the board.
Speaking at the start of August, Parker expressed:
“We need to strengthen, and I think that is clear.
“There is constant dialogue with the board on where we need to strengthen and where we are light.”
Revealing his thoughts after the end of the window, Parker told the AFCB media team:
“It’s been a really positive transfer window.
“I think we’ve done really, really well and completed some good business.”
Here we take a look at the summer signings and how they will bolster Parker’s squad.
Emiliano Marcondes
Only five days after unveiling Parker, the club announced the signing of Marcondes from last season’s promotion rivals Brentford.
Having seen him in action for the Cherries for almost two months, signing as a free agent has proven to be successful recruitment. The way the Cherries have had to do business, after failing to secure funds resulting from promotion, has had to be more robust and creative thus exploring free agents.
Marcondes joined the Cherries following a successful season in Brentford’s promotion campaign making 40 appearances in all competitions, including three starts in the play-offs and two goal contributions.
A proven player, Marcondes comes with a mix of Championship experience, and attacking finesse to support the midfield. Under Parker, we have seen him grow a partnership with David Brooks on the right side, whilst also working with Phillip Billing to contribute more from the midfield onto the opposition goal.
His goal contributions will be no doubt a side Parker will be wanting to develop having only scored three and assisted three for Brentford last season. Already in all games featured under Parker, Marcondes has found the net on three occasions including the season opener versus West Brom.
Heavy rotation will be necessary throughout the long season, so it is key whoever is chosen in the forward midfield roles are able to pose a goal threat.
Leif Davis
21-year-old Leif Davis was the first of two loan transfers Bournemouth introduced this summer. With an option to buy, Davis signed a season long loan from Premier League side Leeds United.
Having previously been in the academy ranks at Morecambe, the defender was snapped up by Leeds in July 2018, only days after Marcelo Biesla was brought into Elland Road. In Leeds’ returning season to the Premier League, Davis made two appearances under the Spaniard.
The highly rated youngster has been brought in to add depth to the squad, with his versatility and ability to play in multiple positions. The injuries of Adam Smith and Jack Stacey in recent weeks has increased the need for reinforcement in the position, with Chris Mepham filling in as a makeshift right back. Davis offers a strong option for the left or right of a back four, as well also being able to fill in at centre half.
Seen as a ‘modern day full-back’, if Parker sees it necessary to move to a back three, Davis provides a perfect option to carry out defensive responsibilities whilst also providing the energy to support the attack from a wing-back role.
It is this flexibility that makes Davis valuable to Parker. We have already seen an example of this as Davis even filled in the right-wing position on his full debut away to Birmingham, showing Parker’s clear intent to be flexible with the youngster.
Being under the regime of Bielsa, Davis will no doubt be tuned ready to work hard and bring an increased element of fitness to the squad. Along with his evident flexibility, Davis will prove to be of much value to Scott Parker.
Orjan Nyland
Another pickup from Bournemouth as a free agent, Nyland had impressed Parker in his short time training with the squad and put pen to paper on a one-year contract.
The 30-year-old arrived following his previous season with Norwich City and comes with vast experience having accumulated 240 appearances across the top leagues in Norway, Germany, and England.
In 2013, Nyland was named in the European Under-21 Championship team of the tournament whilst playing his club football under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Molde. The Norwegian also arrives as a proven player in the Championship due to making 23 appearances for Aston Villa in their 18/19 promotion success.
The departure of Asmir Begovic early in the summer window had left the goalkeeping position bare of personnel and experience.
22-year-old Mark Travers was called into action as Parker’s first regular keeper, and certainly impressed. Nonetheless, the head coach as always made it clear reinforcement was needed.
The goalkeeping position is not exempt from what is a very young squad, so the large amount of experience that Nyland has to his CV shows why he has been brought in.
With the newcomer taking the number one shirt, and featuring in Bournemouth’s last two matches, it seems as though Travers’ gametime will be restricted to squad rotation.
As a free agent, Nyland can only prove to be good business as he brings Championship and European experience, whilst further allowing time for Travers to continue his development as a young goalkeeper.
Gary Cahill
2x Premier League, 2x FA Cup, 2x Europa League, 1x League Cup and 1x Champions League. Captained Chelsea in their Premier League title victory in 2016-2017, as well as captaining his country.
Very little needs to be said about what kind of player Cahill is and will prove to be after signing a one-year contract as a free agent.
It was evident that this was one Parker wanted through the door. Speaking to AFCBTV, Cahill had revealed the head coach had been in contact several times expressing his desire to bring him in, and in the press conferences that followed, Parker’s excitement was obvious.
Playing across every big stage possible, Cahill brings the wealth of experience that is necessary to be successful. The many different situations and scenarios that he has experienced reflects the player he has matured into at 35 years old, and why the young squad will reap the benefits of playing alongside him.
We have already seen this season the downsides of having a young squad in a league like the Championship. A perfect example being losing a two-goal lead to draw at home 2-2 to Blackpool, where the Cherries displayed a lack of experience and leadership to control the second half.
Cahill is the perfect man to inject these elements that are needed to mature the young squad. Whether that be on or off the pitch, Parker knows exactly why he desired the Premier League veteran to join him and will no doubt play an important role for the season.
Morgan Rogers
Rogers joins the Cherries this season as the second player on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season. As with Davis, Rogers is a highly rated youngster having arrived from the academy ranks at Manchester City.
The Manchester club identified his ability in 2019 as they signed him for a fee in the region of £4million as a 16-year-old from West Brom.
Last season saw him enjoy his first spell in first team football having been loaned out to League One side Lincoln City. Making 25 appearances, Rogers was able to contribute six goals and four assists as he helped Lincoln make it to the play-off final.
His impressive form in March also saw him earn the young player of the month award.
The young winger has been scouted by the club to bolster the attacking depth in the squad. The departure of Arnaut Danjuma and fitness concerns of Junior Stanislas meant the lack of depth in the attacking areas was another concern for Parker. Rogers is an exciting prospect as the youngster will arrive with ambition and talent to provide friendly competition to the likes of Jaidon Anthony and David Brooks.
Jamal Lowe
The first of the deadline day signings, Lowe was also the first to sign as neither a free agent, nor on loan. For an undisclosed fee, the former Swansea City striker signed a three-year deal with the Cherries.
The striker position was again another area that lacked the necessary depth with the departure of Sam Surridge to Stoke City in early August. Although Dominic Solanke has had a very strong start to the season, no player goes without competition for their place, and Lowe provides a very healthy option to rotate between the two.
Again, the club have brought in another player who has been able to prove themselves in the Championship. In all competitions, Lowe bagged 14 goals for the Swans as he proved valuable in their journey to the play-off final.
During his time at Swansea, it was a common occurrence to see him play as a second striker with Jordan Ayew, so with this in mind, it may be a potential avenue Parker is wanting to explore.
There is no doubt to his finishing ability, with his capable use of both his left and right foot to score from all ranges. As well as being able to score impressive goals, he clearly also understands the fundamentals of a traditional striker within the box with his movement and one touch finishes.
Ryan Christie
The final transfer of the window was announced with only three hours to go as Ryan Christie signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee from Scottish powerhouse Celtic.
Despite interest from Premier League sides such as Burnley, Bournemouth was the chosen challenge for the Scotsman.
Christie arrives at the Vitality as an attacking midfielder, looking to bolster the goal scoring threat of Parker’s midfield. Whether it be arriving late into the box, or taking control of the ball from outside 18 yards, Christie has a confidence about him that guarantees to be a goal threat.
Celtic’s treble winning seasons in 18/19 and 19/20 saw Christie really elevate into the midfield danger he is now. Playing a pivotal role in both seasons, the 26-year-old tallied 56 goal contributions in all competitions whilst last season also saw him provide 22 more.
The signing of Christie is perhaps an example of Parker’s concern that despite the midfield depth, there is a lack of a goal scoring threat to take the burden off the front three. In expected rotation with the likes of Billing, Marcondes and Stanislas for a forward midfield role, Parker will be hoping his new number ten can bring exactly what he displayed at Celtic.