Is this summer the great AFCB sell-off?

While AFCB have been reportedly making bids for players, no player has yet walked through the reception doors at Dean Court with just a couple of days to go until July. Yet, David Brooks is looking like the first player to be signed by AFCB after having had a medical at the Dorset club yesterday, according to the Daily Star.

Will we see many more players go through the exit door this summer?

Still, the news about players leaving the club continues to gather pace. Following the exit of Benik Afobe, comes the departure of Max Gradel and Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are thought to be battling over the signature of Lewis Grabban. These may not be key players for AFCB, but they could be just the start with Harry Arter, Jermain Defoe and Josh King hotly linked with moves away from the club. Should Bournemouth fans be worried about the exodus of so many players?

I believe it is time that several players are getting opportunities to move now. Whether they are the right players to move on though is the bit that I'm not so sure about. Bournemouth will welcome the cash that comes from the exit of some high wage earners and if it frees up funds for bringing in more players than expected it could be a bonus. But so far, AFCB have not seen a queue of players wanting to join the club, and while many of the players walking out the door are attacking players, it is arguably the defence at AFCB that needs most strengthening.

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Bournemouth still have plenty of time to make signings, but the period of those signings now looks more likely to run into the period when the players are at their summer training camp, unless Neil Blake can bring some good news of signings in the next week. As we have said David Brooks, 20, from Sheffield United looks imminent, but the fans will want to see some bigger signings come next August.

The intensity of deals being done is rising and with the knowledge that there are players who have questioned whether AFCB is still right for them, I am fully behind the club shifting out players that are perhaps unhappy with the pay structure or their lack of games. AFCB need a happy camp. The only thing is, I don't want so many players looking for a move that it takes up time and prevents the club doing more work on trying to get the signings they want to bring in to the club.

Something tells me that this has been the most difficult transfer window for AFCB since they have been in the Premier League, and there is little room for them to make any errors about getting the right players in and retaining the best of their squad.

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Toulouse complete capture of Bournemouth winger

The Daily Mirror stated that Toulouse had agreed terms of a £1.75m deal for Max Gradel, and AFCB has confirmed today that Max has left the club for an undisclosed fee. Gradel had a successful season in keeping Toulouse in La Liga last season having been their top goal scorer, and with Saint -Etienne and Galatasaray circling for the winger, Toulouse wanted to push their claim though having had the player on loan.

Max Gradel signs a permanent deal with Toulouse.

I don't feel we saw the best of Max Gradel at Bournemouth from when he signed for the first season Bournemouth were in the Premier League. His cruciate ligament injury was a big factor in why fans missed out on seeing Gradel at his best, but by the time he had recovered Ryan Fraser was playing well on the left and Max appeared surplus to requirements.

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The knockdown price of £1.75m for the 'flop winger' as the Daily Mirror like to call it is perhaps a bit non-understanding of the difficulties Gradel had on the south coast, but I suppose for the price Bournemouth paid for the Ivory Coast player's services they did not have a great return. Gradel did not seem happy though when he could not get into the team and his desire to go back to play in France left AFCB with little option but to try and get what they could for him.

Getting players in from foreign leagues has not been a great success for the Cherries in recent seasons but Gradel was seen as a safe choice considering that he had been at the club before. It didn't really work out in his second spell but with Lys Mousset being the only other player in the current squad to have signed from La Liga, it may be that Howe will be scanning the French league for another signing this summer.

Fixture calendar gives AFCB chance of a better start in 2018/19

The fixtures for the Premier League were released yesterday with little fanfare on the day that the World Cup got underway in Russia. But just like all the teams in the World Cup, the Premier League clubs will want to win their first game. Bournemouth have not manage that in their last three attempts, but the fixture computer has been a little kinder than it might have been by giving the Cherries a home game against newly-promoted Cardiff City on 11 August.

AFCB officially displayed the new fixtures shortly after 9am yesterday.

The first month will also see games against West Ham and Everton. Bournemouth will also have to play Chelsea before the first international break. It is encouraging that the Cherries won't have to play another top six side from last season then until November, when they'll entertain both Man Utd and Arsenal. The Christmas period seems just as hard as always with Man City, Liverpool, Spurs and Man Utd on call, but they have to be played at some point. The Boxing Day fixture is highly likely to be popular with a first visit to Tottenham's new stadium.

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The home derby against Southampton comes early in October and it will be interesting to see which of the two clubs is doing best by that stage. Brighton don't feature at Dean Court until just before Christmas so it doesn't look like the Cherries first points will come against Chris Hughton's side like they did last season.

We'll have to wait until the second half of the season for the visits of the other newly promoted clubs to Dean Court and Wolves and Fulham will know if they are doing well by that stage. Just like last season though AFCB end the season with an away game. It isn't such a long distance haul though in having Crystal Palace on 12 May and for me it is always the closest game to my doorstep so I'll be looking forward to that one! But some have already pointed out that the fixture computer doesn't like to give the Cherries a home final game.

18/19: Palace away 17/18: Burnley away 16/17: Leicester away 5/16: Man Utd away
14/15: Charlton away 13/14: Millwall away 12/13: Tranmere away
Whether the fixture list gives one team more of an advantage than any other is hard to prove, and TV viewing will alter a good number of the fixture dates in the end. The fact is everyone has 38 games to get the points they need and every season it doesn't look any easier. Still, in Eddie we trust. UTCIAD!

Meanwhile, L'Equipe is reporting that Max Gradel is to be sold to Toulouse for EUR2m in a permanent move for the Ivorian.

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Galatasaray join French clubs chasing Bournemouth loan player

Bournemouth striker Max Gradel is a loan target for Turkish football giants Galatasaray, according to futbolarena. Gradel is being offered a viable chance to play Champions League football next season, if the Turks can beat off the competition for the Ivrorian striker's signature. 

Could AFCB sell their second player this season before bringing anyone in?

The news comes after several days of Gradel being linked to French teams for next season. Only last week, French paper L'Equipe had reported that Gradel was of interest to Rennes who were promoted from Ligue 2. St-Etienne FC, from where AFCB bought Gradel, are also said to be again interested in the Côte d' Ivorie international, according to Sportswitness.

While it may be a great opportunity for Gradel to play against the best players in Europe, if he wanted to play for Galatasaray, he has no doubt enjoyed his time in France with Toulose. h Last season he wanted to leave Bournemouth on loan to play his football in France and he found form straight away. It was a difficult season in keeping Toulouse in the top flight, but a good season season for Gradel who was the club's top scorer. Now Gradel, 30, is in demand.

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Bournemouth may not want another loan period for the striker though. Toulouse were keen to have him on loan with a view to buying him at the end of the season. The potential for the Cherries to cash in on Gradel is probably quite high, having seen him do well in the French League with 11 goals and four assists.

As long as Bournemouth sit tight they could find they have a bidding war for Gradel and will be able to see some return for his year away from the club, even if the Cherries would do well to push the price up.

Is it goodbye to Gradel?

Max Gradel has had a season long loan at Toulouse in Ligue 1 and has been relatively successful with his goal haul of nine from 28 games. But the players time at AFCB could well be over now with Eddie Howe wanting to freshen up the squad with new players, and with Gradel not having been part of Howe's playing team for some time there can be little hope of AFCB fans seeing Max in red and black again.

Will Max continue playing in France?

Toulouse wanted to take Gradel on loan with an option to buy him at the end of the loan spell and at first the Cherries argued against this, but a deal is thought to be in place for him. Bournemouth won't expect to raise much money for the 30 year old, but he has been a player that was a big favourite for many at Dean Court.

Gradel was one of Eddie Howe's first signings in the Premier League in 2015 and I expected Max to be one of the stars for AFCB as they took on the best teams in the land. But in that first August, he damaged his cruciate ligament and missed most of the season. I will remember his goal against Swansea City at home though, after his comeback, when he ran half the length of the pitch to hug Eddie Howe on the touchline. 

Max had a difficult time at AFCB and while he faded from the line ups in Bournemouth's second Premier League season, he was no doubt pleased to get the opportunity to return to France last summer. While it was not Saint-Etienne, he went back to Toulouse who were pleased enough to give him another go in Ligue 1.

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AFCB have been regularly updating fans on the performances of Max overseas and he has been playing fairly well again. There will be no surprise if he plays out the rest of his career in France if AFCB as expected draw a line under his second spell at the Cherries.

Max plays the last play-off game of the season for Toulouse against AC Ajaccio on Sunday 27 May to try and keep Toulouse in Ligue 1. Toulouse won the first leg 0-3 and Max scored in the first play-off match. He is currently Toulouse's top scorer on eight goals.

Premier League Football Fan Survey
Jack Stansfield is studying a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology at Northumbria University and he has created a thesis project that looks at Premier League fans’ team identification, i.e. how well they support and identify with their team. He needs fans of all Premier League football clubs fill out a relatively short questionnaire of 37 questions looking at team identification and satisfaction with life; it should take no longer than 10 minutes. If you can participate please do by clicking this link. 

Why were the Cherries so short on creativity at WBA?

Bournemouth are not usually a side that find it hard to create chances. Yet, Eddie Howe was somewhat staggered after the game against WBA in wondering whey they created so little. It was so disturbing that Jermain Defoe might as well have been standing in his own half as in and around the West Brom penalty area, as the chances of any Bournemouth player finding him seemed particularly slim when he came on late in the game.

Marc Pugh looked below par on Saturday.

It wasn't just Defoe that had trouble seeing enough of the ball. Marc Pugh was not able to get into the game and Ryan Fraser was also short of supply at times. When the wide men are not seeing enough of the ball it can be no surprise that Josh King and Benik Afobe were also bystanders for much of the first half. It was a subdued performance by Eddie Howe's men and the reasons for that only he and the players will really know.

Perhaps pre-season had gone too well. Even in the defeat against Velencia, AFCB had caused problems for the Spanish side and had made the keeper work. There was none of that though in the opening Premier League match at the Hawthorns. Ben Foster will hardly have needed to have his kit washed.

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The team selection was a bit of a surprise in that Marc Pugh had not played as well for me as Max Gradel over the summer, and Jordan Ibe might have also felt unlucky not to get a start. It is evident now, according to SkySports, that Gradel was not played as he is set for a loan move with Toulose, but Eddie was probably cursing that Gradel wasn't on the pitch at the Hawthorns. Howe still has more than enough options though on the wing and he might have tried to find a way to get Josh King more on the ball by changing his position, but it was hard for Bournemouth to counter West Brom's game plan of getting men behind the ball in such numbers.

Eddie will have to devise something though that does allow his forwards to get on the ball more though against such sides that set up against the Cherries in this effective way, and it may be a change in personnel as well as tempo that enable him to do this in the next match.

Now we have the switched on Max Gradel

Something has switched in the attitude of Max Gradel. Having a secure future at AFCB seems to have brought the best out in him and now the club has an international winger that is looking to play well in every game. It has been great to see as Max is just special when he is playing well.

Max Gradel could well be a starter on Saturday on current form.

Eddie Howe must be delighted in what he now sees in Max Gradel. The player has not really had it easy at Bournemouth for some time and a full season in the Premier League for him would not only give him a better sense of belonging, but would also make the side much stronger.

Against Napoli, there is no doubt that Gradel was at times running the show. He was demanding the ball and headed straight for Napoli's defence with speed and conviction. He produced a cross that led to Afobe's goal and was being a nuisance to Napoli when Francis pounced to grab Bournemouth's second goal. 

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From what I see of the players when they are together and celebrating goal, Gradel is very much a popular figure and it wasn't surprising that Pugh hoped that Gradel would stay at the club when rumours of a potential move were not fading. Pugh has always managed to stay just ahead of Gradel, but he may have a bigger problem this season. Gradel has seen that he has to make the most of his opportunity at AFCB and he seems rejuvenated and excited about the new season.

It's just what Howe will have wanted and for the fans it just could be that we see Gradel as more or less like a new signing, as the level of performance he is putting in now is far and above what we have seen from him since his move from St Etienne.

In other news, Harry Cornick leaves AFCB to join Luton Town for an undisclosed fee and Sam Matthews is loaned to Eastleigh until January.

Eddie knows Napoli test was as tough as it gets for the Cherries

There was little for Eddie Howe to be disappointed about having seen his Bournemouth side take on one of the best teams in Europe. The sparkling attack of Napoli will cut many teams apart this season, but the Cherries did well to snuff out as many chances as they did and keep the score down – exactly what they need to show in the coming season if they are to climb the Premier League.

Eddie Howe has enjoyed pre-season, but it's
 competitive matches that he is building the side for now. 

It was a shame we haven't seen an interview with Asmir Begovic on the first half against Napoli, as I think he was in the best position to know just how sharp the opposition were in front of goal. He made save after save against the electric Insigne and was really unlucky when Mertens got the tough that finally beat the former Chelsea keeper.

Eddie Howe said the game was similar to the Real Madrid experience and while that is probably true, the Cherries pulled out a much better score line. They may have been off the pace in the first 20 minutes, but they rose to the occasion and without Harry Arter, Andrew Surman and Ryan Fraser, the team found their belief and stuck to the task well. There were a few great player performances, but whatever has happened to Max Gradel on the transfer talk has surely inspired him to give his all to the team and he shone like a beacon for other AFCB players to find for the whole game with his mesmerising runs.

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Now AFCB have completed their pre-season games and will focus on the West Brom match will be a different kind of test, but one which AFCB can head into confidently. There is a feeling that having played Valencia and Napoli that AFCB are starting to live with the best teams in Europe and that is great for the team that can now start aiming to push on even further from the ninth place finish they secured in 2016-17.

AFCB may move for Leicester winger if Gradel leaves

The fate of Max Gradel looks to be coming to a conclusion, as we draw near the end of the transfer window. Toulouse have put in what the Sun describes as their second bid for Gradel to take him on loan for the season with an option to buy afterwards. The offer may be great for the French side, but would AFCB rather sell now and raise some more transfer funds?

Max is very much in demand, but will AFCB be happy with a loan move?

The option of a loan rather than a sale could be a sticking point, as Gradel is a player that would command a reasonable transfer fee, and Eddie Howe may not wish to let him go on loan. While AFCB have suggested that their main business has been done, a transfer fee for Gradel could open up the purse strings again for a winger replacement.

SkyBet have quickly moved AFCB to the top of the odds to sign Leicester City winger Demarai Gray, who turned down the offer to join the Cherries from Birmingham when he joined the Foxes. Bournemouth are now 5-2 favourites to sign Gray. Would Gray be a good improvement to Bournemouth's squad? 

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The competition for wingers is already tough, but Gray is at a level that would challenge for a starting spot in my opinion, and would be favourable to Gradel in terms of age and potential. But with players like Pugh, Stanislas, Fraser and Ibe all wanting starts, it won't be easy for any new winger to walk straight into the side.

The transfer fee that Gray would cost is probably also in line with Nathan Aké's and Howe has already mentioned in the Bournemouth Echo that he is not comfortable with the high fees, but that is what players cost now.

The form of Gradel was excellent in Marbella, and while that has only heightened interest in Gradel, it could be best for AFCB if they hold out to see if a club is going to offer a permanent deal. That would give them a bit more cash for the Demarai Gray deal or another winger if Howe really feels he needs to replace Gradel.

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The Cherries start their pre-season with a 2-1 win over GD Estoril Praia

Match Report

GD Estoril Praia 1 v 2 AFCB

15 July 2017
Marbella Football Stadium

It was a bright sunny day with AFCB and GD Estoril Praia walking out to the sound of Football's coming home. The crowd was thick enough to line much of the touchline and the odd AFCB flag visible. Estoril played in their yellow shorts and blue shorts while ACB played in their red and black home kit.

Gradel stars in Marbella match with some sublime touches and a goal. 

Estoril kicked-off by the Cherries soon got hold of possession. The pitch was a bit patch-less in some areas but flat and fairly true. Afobe was almost put straight through early on but the Estoril keeper came out to collect the ball just in time.

Estoril enjoyed some possession without hurting AFCB. Boruc made an early clearance which could have had more weight on it. Mahoney was playing on the right wing for the Cherries and he hit a good shot in the penalty area on six minutes after some good work from Mousset that led to the first save.

An Estoril corner came to nothing, but it was shaping up as a good contest. Steve Cook was playing n the right side of Nathan Aké as a centre back and Ryan Fraser was positioned at right back.

Boruc was getting more active in the game as he made a good save from Estoril's number 10 on 11 minutes. Pugh was next to try a shot but pulled his effort wide of the left upright.

Mahoney got caught offside after some good intricate work on the right with Fraser. Things were even after 20 minutes and there was not a lot to choose between the two sides. Estoril had their second corner which was headed clear and AFCB looked fairly comfortable even if Estoril's 22 was finding space on the left wing.

Daniels was doing some god covering work as Estoril continued their bursts forward. AFCB were looking long for Afobe's run but he was offside.

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On 27 minutes play stopped for a water break. Fraser then put in a good cross from the right and Mousset got in front of his marker to head at goal but the keeper had plenty of time to make the catch.

Estoril's number 95 turned Daniels well but hit a rising shot well wide. AFCB were playing with more control as the half progressed.

Estroril's number five did well to get around the back but Boruc caught his cross well. A good turn from Mousset almost opened up Estoril's defence as AFCB pushed to get a goal. Afobe then just couldn't get enough direction on a near post effort from Daniels run on the left.

Afibe went for an ambitious bicycle kick which he failed to make any connection with, after a good knock down from Mousset. Daniels then pulled a sharp save out of the Estoril keeper that gave AFCB their first corner.

Afobe rose well but headed over from six yards. Fraser almost did himself some damage running off on half way straight into the metal barrier but he managed to slowdown enough. So at half time it was 0-0.

Second Half
Subs made by AFCB include Federici, Francis, Cargill, Mings, Worthington, Gosling, Arter, Ibe, Taylor, Gradel and King – a full team change. 

There was good intensity to the start of this half but Mings gave away a sloppy back pass to an Estoril forward.

Mings then made up with a great slotted pass for King who attempted to rounded the keeper but couldn't quite beat him. Jordan Ibe was next to get a shot away after a good run on the right and the keeper beat it away high up.

Estoril's 76 almost stole in after another poor decision from Mings but Arter shadowed him and the shot went wide.

Ibe then put a chip just over at the other end. A moment later he as keen through and made not mistake to put AFCB 1-0 up on 54 minutes.

Gosling loses the ball just in front of his own box and the ball comes off Francis for an Estoril corner. But it's been given as a goal kick. Max Gradel has been fouled and Estoril's 76 picks up the first yellow card.

Gradel puts King through with a slick move but the Bournemouth forward gets his angles all wrong and fires well wide. Arter makes a hash of a pass to Cargill and gives possession away.

Lovely foot work from Gradel to keep possession. Worthington goes down with an arm across the chest but the ref plays on - strange decision. Estoril make a subs - 70 comes on for 22 - striker change.

The ball bounces around in the Cherries' box but Gradel clears. Federici comes flying out of his box and handles. Federici is booked. Free-kick to Estoril 25-yards out, central on 64 minutes. An excellent strike by Estoril's number eight, Carlos Edouardo sweetly sails over the wall and into the top right corner 1-1.

Ibe takes a shot that is pushed out for a corner. Sam Surridge is on for Josh King. AFCB retake the lead with a Max Gradel goal on 71 minutes. Top right corner for Gradel having played a one-two with Surridge.

Federici makes a good low save to keep AFCB ahead. Bailey Cargill does some good tidying up at the back. Estoril are pushing for the equaliser.

Another great flick from Gradel out to Ibe. Gradel wins a free kick after a foul by 11 on the edge of the box. Gradel chips it high over the bar.

Arter fouls Estoril's 76 on the break. Ibe fouls next. Just a minute of added time to go. That's it a narrow win for the Cherries!

Summary
Mahoney and Gradel impressed me the most. While AFCB managed 13 shots on goal they still need to sharpen their shots on target and hopefully Defoe will add that missing ingredient when he plays. At the back though Boruc was solid and Cook and Aké were very strong.

It was also pleasing to see Ibe get on the score sheet and make several shots during the second half. None of the youngsters looked out of place either. Howe will have been pleased with this workout.


AFCB
Boruc, Fraser, S Cook, Ake, Daniels, Mahoney, L Cook, Surman, Pugh, Mousset, Afobe

Subs: Federici, Francis, Mings, Cargill, Worthington, Gosling, Arter, Ibe, Taylor, Gradel, King, Surridge

AFCB winger may not be training long in Marbella

Sunderland have been making a lot of noise about acquiring Max Gradel. Simon Grayson is keen o being united with the former Leeds player who Grayson coached before at the Yorkshire club. Now at Sunderland, Grayson believes Gradel would be a good addition to help get the Black Cats back to the Premier League and that could cut Gradel's time short in Spain.

Gradel is being sort after in the transfer market.

The Sunderland Gazette has reported that Gradel would cost Sunderland £3m to buy outright but they are more keen on a loan deal. Grayson wouldn't be pushed on the deal though when questioned by the local paper and instead replied, "You will find I don't give too much away."

Max Gradel has been on the periphery of AFCB's starting 11 since he signed from Saint-Etienne in 2015. A cruciate ligament injury against Leicester City kept in out of the side for much of 2016 and last season he was mainly used as a substitute.

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Having signed Connor Mahoney who played 20 games for Blackburn Rovers last season, AFCB have already added a young winger to the club who could step up as cover for the first if needed so it is likely that AFCB would listen to offers for Gradel now.

The Championship would also seem the place where Max would get a full season of games now and while Sunderland ponder over a move it may well attract attention from other clubs in him. Fulham and Derby have also been linked with the winger. Leeds Unite might also raise their interest having had an association with Max in the past.

Is Eddie going to talk Gradel round into staying at AFCB?

The transfer gossip on Max Gradel has been fairly quiet of late having been a a regular headline maker in April. Whether Max has been told to go away and think very carefully over what he decides to do is the advice, I hope he has been asked to take by the club as I still believe Gradel can be a success at AFCB if he desires it. Eddie Howe has not given him much game time, but Gradel has had some bad injuries and his ability to recover from them is perhaps not as quick as it would have been when he was a younger player.

Max Gradel's transfer news has quietened down.

All this has meant a stop start career at AFCB for Gradel and I can understand him questioning if it is just not meant to be, but I hope he gives it one more shot as there is no doubt he can be unplayable when he does get running at defenders. The situation that AFCB are in is a very strong one. They have some excellent wide men at the club and even if Gradel decided to move on they would be able to recover a good sized transfer fee from it to go back into the market. Gradel has signed a contract up to 2020, so he was very committed when he signed back in 2016, and if he gives himself at least another season on the south coast he may find that the offers for him are much better in 12 months time.

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What Max really needs like so many players is a run of games. He has not had that at all since his return to the club and no player can feel confident f he is just picking up injuries every time he goes on the pitch. In that regard he is surely in the same camp as Callum Wilson, but the support system around these players is what is important when they aren't able to play.

Even being a sub at AFCB is not what Gradel wants, but to be a starter he has to have a great pre-season and really apply himself to the new season. If he can do that I am sure he will feel the love of the fans and his game will become strong again, which is what we all want to see.

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Is Max Gradel still in Eddie Howe's long term plan?

Max Gradel is not slow in coming out and explaining how he feels when he gets the opportunity to talk to the French press and British sites are picking up on it too. But I kind of get where he comes from in his need to express himself if he is unable to do it on the pitch frequently. He has had a tough ride at the Cherries and it's not been his choice to have injuries and then have to fight to try and get back into a team that has improved season on season. But has Max's chance gone? 

Max is said to want away but might he change his mind?

I think it depends really on Max and what he wants. Sure he wants to play more but the opportunity to do that with a Premier League side still exists here at AFCB. At any team in this league there is competition for starting places, and so far I see why Eddie Howe has not been able to give Max more game time when others are consistently coming up with the goods. 

From Max's side I can also see how he might feel that Howe has his favourites and that he is up against longer friendships with players, such as Pugh and Stanislas, but Max has to let his ability do the talking rather than worrying too much what the other players looking for that place in the team are doing. Max can still make a place his own, if he wants it as he has more ability than most in the squad, he just hasn't had a good run in the team. Some of that is down to bad luck and some of it is perhaps seeing others seizing their chance.

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The question is does Max want to be a part of AFCB going forward or not? He should be the player that all the other wingers look up to and have to try and catch as he has the experience, but he has to win that respect every day whether in training or on match day. A fresh start may of course be the best option for Max, but I don't think the fans have ever not wanted him to succeed at AFCB, and if he asks himself if he really has been treated fairly at Bournemouth he will come to the right decision, which is best for him. I really don't know though if he will want to give it one more try or apply his talent at a new club.

Transfer Rumour - from L'Equipe, AFCB in pursuit of Dijon's Loïs Diony.

Is Gradel a spent force at AFCB?

When Max Gradel was signed for the Cherries in 2015, it brought back memories of his first month loan-period at the club and the exciting wing play that dazzled opponents and fans. He came back to the club for the start of its Premier League journey, but has he really delivered what we might have expected?

Is time nearly up for Max at AFCB?

For me, Max has been unlucky with his injuries and his lack of games. I believe he has the talent to be one of the star men at the club, but I wonder if the time has passed for him to make an impact now. Max is 29 and is one of the players you might have thought that Eddie Howe would be saying to himself, when he signed him, that this will be a reliable wide man for me. Yet, the form for Max has been patchy at best and while we can remember the West Ham away match last season as a fabulous moment for Max, there have not been too many highlights since he trotted out for the team in 2016/17.

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Many would have expected him to leave or go out on loan in January, but he has stayed. That we are led to believe is a statement that Max wants to play his football at Dean Court and still believes he has something to give this team. Well the matches are running out and the Cherries need players that will defy the odds to beat some of the big teams now if they are to pick up points with enough ease to avoid any relegation worries. Whether Eddie sees that Max is in the right mind to do that for AFCB or not will be pivotal for Max. It is up to him really - does he want to be a player that the fans fall in live with again - or does he flit into the team now and again from the subs bench?

We need to see the Max that was banging in goals for Saint-Etienne in La Ligue 1. I don't expect that Max has been at all happy with his current time at AFCB but he has just a few months to try and prove to everyone that he is a Premier League player that is not past his best. Others have not been so lucky to keep their prospects going at Dean Court, but Max still has a chance to show he is not spent force.

Gradel has to get his head down at AFCB

Max Gradel has been sent back to the Cherries a bit earlier than he might have hoped. Africa Cup of Nation's defeat for Cote d'Ivorie to Morocco by 1-0 spelt the end of Max's tournament and his team's defence of the title, so he is now said to be expected to be available for next week's AFCB Premier League game against Crystal Palace.

It might seem a big blow to Max that he hasn't played more international football. Even as Cote d'Ivorie went out, he only played for six minutes of normal time against Morocco in what would turn out to be his side's final tournament match, coming on for Frank Kessie as the champions chased the game. 

Max has hardly played for AFCB this season.

Now Max has to be fully focused on his AFCB role. He may be a talking point for other clubs, but it is more likely to be in the summer window when his future is under a lot of discussion. Eddie Howe has said that he will be speaking to Max about his future and I imagine the report may read something like 'could do better'. To be fair to Max though, he hasn't had a run of games to impress the manager. He only excited for a brief moment for me against Morecambe, in the early season League Cup match AFCB played. He has only made five appearances this season for AFCB and all have been as sub.  

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Broomhill Garden Conservatories

While many fans won't have had Max as their first choice regular starter this season, on the left side, I did expect him to be forcing his way straight into the team. Instead, Ryan Fraser has jumped ahead of him and one or two others. If Ryan can do that it is going to be a question in Eddie Howe's mind of whether Max is a player that he should hold on to. 

It's down to Max really as to what he wants, but if it is to be more successful at the Cherries he has to up his game substantially. Eddie Howe knows exactly how good he can be, and so there is nowhere for Max to hide. He has more natural talent than many members of the squad, but if we don't see it, there's others who will stay ahead of him in the pecking order.

Gradel just has to play games

Eddie Howe has already mentioned that he will be talking with Max Gradel about his future when he returns from Gabon and the Africa Cup of Nations. Yesterday, Max came on as a sub in the 81st minute of Ivory Coasts' opening match with Togo, which ended in a 0-0 draw. Max will want to get more time on the pitch but being around players like Wilfred Bony, Wilfred Zaha and Arouna Koné - Max will be aware that a move would be easier if he plays well at the tournament - if that is what he wants. 

Max has to get back into the swing of it at the Africa
 Cup of Nations.

Max's form has been slow to pick up this season following a long recovery period after his cruciate ligament injury last season. He has made only five Premier League appearances, and all of them were as a sub. He did score in the League Cup second round against Morcambe, but it's been a disappointing 2016 for Max and he may well return from the African tournament hopefully feeling that he can contribute more to this AFCB side.

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Broomhill Garden Conservatories

While some may wish for Max to be sold, I still don't believe that Max has played as well for Bournemouth as he can, or as well as he wants to have played. While it has been a frustrating time for him to have bad injuries to get over and fierce competition to contend with at Dean Court, Max knows that he should be a wide man that is first on Eddie Howe's thoughts most weeks. He has to get back to that standard if he is to give the Cherries more cause to pick him consistently. He has three more years left on his contract and I'm not so sure as others that he wouldn't want to fight for his place in the Bournemouth side.

Max is now 29 and probably only has one more big move that he could make. He perhaps needs to raise his stock some more though before a move would be attractive to AFCB and himself. For these kind of reasons, I hope Max returns from this tournament having played well and being really fired up to give the Cherries his very best in 2017.