On 25 May there was a bit of a surprise that Steve Cook had signed a new 4-year deal as he had only signed a new contract last year. It would seem that there was more than a bit of interest in the central defender, with WBA and Everton supposed to be among the sides tracking him. Yet, Steve Cook played so well during 2016/17 that he probably earned a new contract on better terms in any case.
Whether AFCB's policy of handing out long-term contracts are the best way to go about keeping the squad together is probably proved correct in that only Matt Ritchie's decision to leave last summer is something that didn't sit so well with AFCB, even if he did command a good transfer fee. The ability for AFCB to keep hold of their best players will surely be tested though this summer and if the club didn't make good offers, heads would soon turn to other clubs who are wiling to spend the cash.
It's probable that AFCB will face more competition from the newly promoted clubs perhaps than the top four or five. Newcastle certainly look admiringly at Bournemouth players and some of the Cherries players that don't play so regularly would no doubt come into the spending range of clubs like Brighton and whichever club wins the Championship play-off.
Stripping away the likes of Josh King and Steve Cook though would be a big blow and at least supporters of the Cherries know that one is already safely in the bag.
In other news, England's U21 top Group A but there's no minutes for AFCB's Lewis Cook against South Korea, see ESPNFC.
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| Steve Cook has decided he is staying at AFCB long term. |
The fact that AFCB's players are now being chased by other Premier League clubs is an indication that the side is making good progress. Success has come fast though and Eddie Howe and AFCB need to ensure that some of their prized assets are not lured away from the south coast as other sides bolster their squads. AFCB certainly did not hang about in getting down to contract negotiations with Steve and we may see a few more in the coming weeks.
Whether AFCB's policy of handing out long-term contracts are the best way to go about keeping the squad together is probably proved correct in that only Matt Ritchie's decision to leave last summer is something that didn't sit so well with AFCB, even if he did command a good transfer fee. The ability for AFCB to keep hold of their best players will surely be tested though this summer and if the club didn't make good offers, heads would soon turn to other clubs who are wiling to spend the cash.
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It's probable that AFCB will face more competition from the newly promoted clubs perhaps than the top four or five. Newcastle certainly look admiringly at Bournemouth players and some of the Cherries players that don't play so regularly would no doubt come into the spending range of clubs like Brighton and whichever club wins the Championship play-off.
Stripping away the likes of Josh King and Steve Cook though would be a big blow and at least supporters of the Cherries know that one is already safely in the bag.
In other news, England's U21 top Group A but there's no minutes for AFCB's Lewis Cook against South Korea, see ESPNFC.
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