A high price-tag to be set for AFCB winger

The Metro has reported that David Brooks is being chased by Manchester United and that Bournemouth have put a price-tag of £40m on the young Welsh international. Whether that price is enough to ward off the likes of Manchester United, is another matter. I would probably doubt it. If Solkjaer really wants to come in for Brooks, he'll do so.

David Brooks could get a massive move to Man Utd.

David Brooks would be one of the players that JT is most keen to hold on to, but if the player is attracting the likes of United, then he is not going to stay at Bournemouth. It's simple economics. If United meet the valuation Brooks will no doubt double his salary and be playing for a team that has title and European winner medal ambitions. Brooks' international pedigree would also get a boost, and Ryan Giggs would like nothing better than to see Brooks at his former club, where Daniel James is already proving how Welshman internationals can fit in very well.

Advertisement

Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -£7.99!

While Bournemouth would get a good price, if they sold to United, it would leave JT with another player to find for his dwindling squad. I suppose Bournemouth have to be fair to players like Brooks who have done well and deserve an honest valuation. If a price is agreed it is up to the player if he wants to leave, and I can't see why Brooks would think a year in the Championship would be good for him rather than the opportunity to play in the Premier League at a title chasing club.

Advertisement

Coastal Garden Buildings

Bournemouth's best hope may be that they get a few clubs bidding for Brooks, so that they can force the price up. It wouldn't surprise me if £40m was an opening gambit, but Brooks could attract a higher price in these times when most clubs are just trying to hold on to their players with such a short transfer window.

Advertisement

Eddie Had a Dream -now just 9.99!

In other news, AFCB have confirmed that Aaron Ramsdale has joined Sheffield United for the third highest ever Bournemouth transfer fee. Football Insider has linked AFCB with a move for former Wigan keeper David Marshall, 35.

Previous Post on Cherry Chimes - Management team completed at AFCB

Was United game all about the first goal?

Ole Gunnar Solkjaer felt that the whole game between Bournemouth and Man Utd hung on who would get the first goal. It plays out that it was the correct call with only one goal being scored, but would Bournemouth have got a goal if Man United had scored in those first 20 minutes?

Man United just couldn't recover from going a goal down as AFCB's defence has improved.

We will never know, but AFCB have come back in games and when they have gone behind they haven't always failed to recover this season. The first goal is always massive in any game and of course it is a big advantage if your team gets it. Bournemouth were yet again, slow starters. It is something that Eddie Howe didn't talk that much about, but it should be a concern that the team is taking 10-15 minutes to find its feet in games. Against Arsenal it was 45 minutes before they felt comfortable.

Advertisement

Coastal Garden Buildings

Giving good sides most of the possession in the first 20 minutes is not a great game plan. The Cherries have to find a way of being more assertive. It's not that the home support couldn't be heard and the atmosphere was great for getting the players up for the fight. Yet, the team often can't get on the front foot straight away.

Bournemouth were perhaps lucky that Man United were not in great shooting form and Ramsdale didn't have any awkward saves to make. James looked the player most likely to score for United, but as he was causing Rico a lot of problems down the left side of Bournemouth's defence, but he was probably taking on our most in form defender and Rico did okay.

Advertisement

Somehow the Cherries need to play in the opposition half early on though if they are going to find their way to more opening goals.