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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Kenwyne will have some hellos to make at AFCB

The pre-season friendly with Cardiff City takes on a bit more meaning when you cast your mind back to the end of last season. The arrival of Kenwyne Jones on loan for the run-in did the Cherries a world of good and his goal against Ipswich gave the Cherries a valuable point against a promotion rival. Kenwyne will be warmly welcomed and yet it must be strange for him taking on former teammates on this occasion.

Kenwyne will want to show us all again what he is all about.

All around Kenwyne there has been change over the summer at Cardiff. Strike partner Adam Le Fondre is still at the club but he is all lined up to move back up north either on loan or in a permanent transfer. Spanish striker Javi Guerra also seems set on a move back to Spain having failed to impress in the Welsh capital.

Russell Slade has not been busy in the transfer market this summer. Sammy Ameobi is a notable loan signing though. It looks like funds are being restricted as the Bluebirds come to terms with their Championship status for a second year. Slade still has some big names at the club like keeper David Marshall, Peter Whittingham, Anthony Pilkington and Frederico Macheda as well as Kenwyne. We might even see Scott Malone as well.

Pre-season has seen Cardiff draw 2-2 with Shrewsbury and beat israeli side Ironi Kiryat Shmona 2-0. This will be cardiff's stiffest test though and the Cherries have had some goal fests against the Welsh team although the disallowed Wilson goal at Cardiff last march was one of the few games when not much went AFCB's way.

Kenwyne will get a great reception for the AFCB fans.

Over on Premier Talk I have a ponder about Managers Picking fights.

I've noticed that AFCBDirect is undergoing some changes - keep an eye out for the new design that will be coming soon.

Look out tomorrow for the Cherry Chimes' August Newsletter which brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them over the last month, plus a special Newsletter article entitled Can it get better than this?

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Is Artur Boruc the best keeper in the Championship?

It is hard to look beyond the qualities of Artur Boruc in the Championship for a better keeper, but the on loan Saint's keep has plenty of competition even if his record has been outstanding in recent weeks. It is not surprise that when looking for the best keepers your eye is naturally drawn to the top of the table, and while you can claim that the keeper who has kept the most clean sheets or saved the most shots are good indicators, I suspect many fans will say their club's keeper is number one. 

Artur Boruc might not be able to put his hands on his knees
for long during games, but at least his hands are not the busiest in the Championship.

I believe it also depends also on who is playing in front of the shot stopper and how often a keeper is being made to work. In recent games Artur has thankfully not been worked too hard, but in some ways it is even harder for a keeper to suddenly be called into action and have to make a great save when he has been a virtual spectator for much of the game. Artur had only played five times for the Cherries before the Reading game and with 14 saves that was an average of below three a game. He had also picked up a yellow card in one game, so perhaps there is still even better to come for Artur.

My personal favourite in the Championship may surprise some of you, but I am not saying he is the best. It is Lee Grant at Derby County. He is agile and also imposing and has more than a season's experience now at this level. I know he has a great defence in front of him that had only let in 10 goals after 12 games, but he consistently keeps clean sheets for the Rams and is one that is only going to get better. 

Every one will also know two previous Premier league keepers at Watford and Norwich. Both Heurelho Gomes and John Ruddy will have their admirers, but I don't see them as keepers on the way up in their careers. A better pick for me is Karl Darlow on loan at Nottingham Forest. I can see why Newcastle came in for him. While he may not seem a big frightening character between the sticks, he is certainly one of those with outstanding ability. The saves he has made this season already have been highly regarded with 38 saves in 14 league and cup matches.

The other keeper that I think would rival Boruc for top spot is David Marshall at Cardiff City. Another former Premier League keeper, it is a wonder how come Marshall was not picked up be a Premier League club over the summer. He has had a slow start to the season though and Cardiff have let in 15 goals in their first 12 matches.

Is Artur No1 keeper in the Championship for you?

Yet for all the big names, if you check out who has let in the least goals this season in the early stages it is Dimitrios Konstantopoulos at Middlesbrough and before this season I bet hardly any of us had even heard of him. He had made nine appearances and 14 saves before this week's midweek game, which still puts him quite some way behind Karl Darlow in my opinion.

So, much as I might hate to admit it, if there was a keeper who I would say is No1 in the Championship at the moment, I'd probably go for Karl Darlow, but if Artur Boruc can be loured to extend his contact at AFCB past January, I can see him showing AFCB fans that he has helped saved many points for the team. Perhaps you think there is another keeper in the Championship who is currently the best? Let me know who and why?