Eddie Howe has evolved into nothing short of a messiah for Bournemouth now. Since he took over the club, the Cherries have come a long way and are one of the favourites to finish in the top half in the top flight English football this season.
Despite having a pretty average club blended with some decent loanees from top clubs, opponents have often found Vitality Stadium a difficult place to go and win. Bournemouth are currently in the 14th place in the league table with 26 points, which is just four points short of the top half of the table.
In players like Steve Cook, Junior Stanislas, Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and more, Howe has shown that the Cherries are not just a selling club, but are also capable of unearthing real talents. Bournemouth’s playing style has often been compared to that of North-London club Arsenal for their patient build up with short passes and Howe’s men have often shown real composure up front.
However, the hectic season has started taking its toll on their forwards and although Bournemouth didn’t have enough financial prowess to beef up their squad in a significant way during the mid-season transfer window, reports are emerging that Howe has identified Liverpool winger Ryan Kent as a summer target.
Bournemouth’s current crop of wingers includes Fraser, Jordan Ibe, Stanislas, Marc Pugh and Max Gradel. And although they have been impressive at times, the manager seems to look for someone who can inject pace on the flanks with the ability to dribble past players. And his search seems to have ended in this Liverpool academy product.
A left winger by nature, Kent is adept on the right flank as well as in the striker’s role. The Liverpool Under-23 star in currently on loan with Championship side, Barnsley, and he returns to Merseyside at the end of the season. Kent has been a regular in the Championship club appearing 31 times, and he has managed to score twice and assist the same number of times so far.
Although at 172cm, the 20-year-old lacks the aerial strength so essential in the Premier League, he pretty much makes it up with his fantastic dribbling abilities. With a penchant to move up through short passes, the England Under-20 international is touted by many to have a bright future.
Ivory Coast international, Max Gradel, has seen much of the bench under Howe this season and is looking at other options at the end of the season, which leaves a place for this youngster to fill in. Given his age, learning under Howe could be hugely helpful.
