The one position that AFCB really need to sort out is the goal keeping position. The summer has not given us a quick answer to this vital position. While Artur Boruc has signed a new contract, Asmir Begovic remains at the club, and just the one bid for Jack Butland failed to bring in a new keeper. So where do AFCB go from here?
 |
| Does Asmir face a number two role at AFCB if he stays? |
It looks like if Bournemouth really want Jack Butland, they are going to have to meet the valuation which is likely to be around £20m, double what they paid for Begovic. Whether that is seen as good value or not, it must be frustrating for Howe if he wants Butland that it hasn't happened so far.
AFCB need to calm their spending if they are not going to let some players move on and the fact that they seem unable to get a good fee for Begovic could be some of the problem. If Begovic turns out next season along with Boruc, AFCB will go into the new season with no changes between the sticks and that would probably disappointing for most fans.
The way that Aaron Ramsdale and Mark Travers have been mixing with the first team in La Manga is great to see, and I am one of those who would like to see one of these young keepers given a game out in Spain, if they are going to challenge Boruc and Begovic. The outfield players and especially the back four need to be comfortable with whoever is going to be between the sticks, and they need to work as a unit. It's really Boruc's shirt to lose I'd say, but a lot could happen in the few weeks between the start of the season.
...looks like we may have to have Boruc and Bego as senior keepers again, and then hope that Ramsdale and Travers can step up over the season? Spunking 20 million plus on Butland is a gamble too far IMO?
ReplyDelete