The only disappointing fact to come out of the win against Leicester City was the sight of seeing Nathan Aké being helped off of the field after 40 minutes. Leicester City were already one-nil up by then and Aké's block, that forced him off, probably stopped Bournemouth from going 0-2 down. So while it was an important challenge, the cost to Bournemouth could be that Aké has played his last game for the Cherries with many clubs said to be keen for his signature this summer.
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Aké has been fantastic, but it looks like
Bournemouth will have to do without him now. |
We were likely to see Aké bought at some point and it has been great to have seen him play more than 100 games for the Cherries. He is one of the best defenders in the league and he will go to a top six club if he stays in the Premier League. I would expect Chelsea would be most likely to go for him, but Man City could try and lure him to the Etihad.
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For Bournemouth fans the cost starts right now. Aké is most likely out for the rest of the season and Bournemouth are left with the three most important games in 2020 to go without him. The way Eddie Howe coped with Aké coming off against Leicester was to bring on Steve Cook and he is a natural replacement for the upcoming games. The big change though was at half-time and switching to three at the back. Jack Stacey and Junior Stanislas were superb in those positions, and playing three at the back is likely to be the best way in dealing with the injury list of defenders that are building up now.
The loss of Aké will only matter if it gets in the players' heads. They managed to keep a clean sheet for the rest of the game after Aké went off, so they know they can defend well. The new system also suits Bournemouth going forward and should be a good way to play Man City who tend to overrun teams in midfield.
Lloyd Kelly has had one wobble, but in general has acquitted himself well as a centre-back. He'll have to get used to playing with Steve Cook now and probably Rico as a back three. So, I don't see Aké's absence as a killer blow for Bournemouth, but obviously it is not ideal. Aké may well have done enough though to help AFCB stay in the premier league already. It will be hard to see hime go but in Lloyd Kelly, I think Bournemouth have another super defender in the making.
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