Wednesday 13 March 2019

Do Bournemouth need European football to hold on to stars?

There was a big message from Callum Wilson in the Bournemouth Echo saying that he and the club were still targeting a seventh placed finish. It would be a remarkable achievement to get really close to even challenge Wolves and Watford who are now six and seven points ahead of the Cherries, but while it's possible, it is right that AFCB don't give up hope.

What is more questionable is whether Bournemouth need European football yet? It has to be a long-term aim but to get it now would perhaps be too soon. It didn't do Burnley much good this season, and AFCB are a similar or perhaps even smaller club. There is arguably not a right or wrong time, but if the players are starting to crave that next step and become disappointed, and they fall short of seventh place, as seems likely, would it make players like Callum Wilson more attracted to a move this summer?

Wilson is one who is moving quickly forward in his personal ratings and he could leave the club behind in its own development, if it doesn't make the step up to European football. It seemed very unlikely that ADFCB would develop players that could get into the national squad, but it's happening now and the more international players that are at the club, the more likely that European football is achievable.

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It makes me wonder whether the club would look to bring in a more experience player this summer, who has already been playing in tat least the Europa League. Bournemouth have to be seen to be growing to keep their own stars happy about the project, and while Howe is bringing in players of a young age to try and achieve the European goal together, he may need a bit more experience on some positions to make AFCB a better challenger to the places, where Wolves and Watford currently sit. I'd say Howe has another season or two to try and get into Europe at least, before one or two players might be more eager to play for a team that is already playing European football.

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