NEIL MOXLEY From rattling buckets to shaking up the Prem
Follow us on Twitter: @peoplesport THOSE Bournemouth fans who rattled buckets for a few quid to keep the club afloat nine years ago must think they are now living in a parallel universe.
Was it really only in 2008 when punters stood outside Dean Court pleading for the cash to stave off administration? Yes, it was. Fast-forward to this week ek and that must seem like a bygonee age.
Manager Eddie Howe smashed the club’s transfer nsfer record into oblivion as Nathan athan Ake ( right) was persuadedded to spend the next chapter of his career on the south coast, , with a £20million cheque wingingg its way to Stamford Bridge.
That, don’t forget, is on top of luring back current Englandand star Jermain Defoe and a £ 10m splurge on keeper Asmir Begovic – also a cast- off f r om west London.
Scrutiny
Although the Cherries’ rags- to- riches tale does not bear scrutiny, given the massive financial gamble of owner Maxim Demin, Howe’s actions do prove one overlooked aspect of English football.
That there is still a valuelue to players in actually playing.
Ake, along with his colleague Begovic, has turned his back on the permanent scrap to be recognisedcognised by Antonio Conte.
No Champions League football, no fighting for his place at a top-six op-six club.
After sitting as a spectator, or, watching the Blues power their way to the title, Begovic has obviously gotot tired of playing second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois.
While former Sunderlandand striker Defoe (below) will be happy ppy enough enoughe with a starring rol role,le, spearheading Howe’s we’s attack. And he will be delighted – at 34 – to o have landed a threeyear deal.
And fair play to Howe for pushing his club forward.
Every time you think that Bournemouth are e going to thump theireir scalps into a glass ceiling, ling, , they manage to bang their eir way wayw thr through it. It does take some do doing, reinventing yourself. But the 39-year-old boss is not one t to stand still. “We need to look at signing players from a different ang angle,” he said, a couple of seasons ago. ““Competing against other clubs, we will lose.”
He was tal talking about the financial incentives on offer. But that w was then. This is now. And if the latest ridiculous Premier League broad broadcasting deal has achieved anything, it h has evened up the playing field for club clubs like Bournemouth.
Under normalnorm circumstances, with an average crow crowd of 11,500, there is no way on heaven an and earth that the Cherries could compete.compet
However, a armed with the backing of petrochemicalspetrochemic magnate Demin and the bonanza f from television, they have every chance.chance
With an i income from the media approaching £ £118m, Bournemouth can push the boatboa out and attract players such as Begovic,Bego Defoe and Ake.
Does it matterma to footballers if they trouser £ 100,0001 a week from Bournemouth?Bournemout Heck, it’s probably the same, if not better than it was at Stamford Bridge and the Stadium of Light. The badge and expectation may be different – but so what?
However, the differentiating factor – and also the carrot that Howe can wave in front of this new trio – is they will be able to play first-team football.
Only Defoe was guaranteed that at his former club. But, as the reborn striker is good enough for his country, he must also feel like he can still cut it in the top flight.
Upgrading