⚽ **TRANSFERS: English Premier League 2017/18** ⚽

Young Versatile Defender

Player: Nathan Ake 

Age: 22 years

Positon: Left Back/ Centre Back/ Left Wingback

To: AFC Bournemouth 

From: Chelsea FC 

Estimated Fee: £  20 Million (€  22.7 Million)

Report: 

Bournemouth mean business this transfer window! 

They have already made their third valuable addition to their squad. Their latest acquisition is Nathan Ake from Premier League Champions Chelsea for a record £20 Million. Ake is a young defender who spent the first half of last season on loan with Bournemouth and has a lot of potential to succeed in the Premier League. 

It’s devastating for Chelsea to lose him due to limited first team opportunities. But Chelsea have smartly inserted a buy-back clause in his contract and will be tracking his progress as the season goes by.

Ake’s career statistics: 

• 2 loan spells in the Premier League with Watford and Bournemouth ✅
• A brilliant first loan spell with Watford making 24 appearances and one goal ✅
• Just had one and half a season with Bournemouth ✅
• Chelsea recalled him back mid season ✅
• He made 12 appearances for Bournemouth in the Premier League ✅
• Surprised everyone with 3 goals and one assist ✅

Ake’s attributes: 

His age is going to be a key factor to help him progress with Bournemouth. His most likely role may initially begin at LCB, but he prefers operating as a wingback should Bournemouth ever shift to a back 5. He will play a handy role in scoring goals from set plays. Ake is a versatile player who can play in all the three defensive positions for a left footer. This quality will be important for Bournemouth who had a number of defensive problems last season.

Ake’s concern: 

The only concern that is questionable about Ake is his defensive qualities. Though he plays at LCB, he is doubtful when it comes to defending long balls and can be beaten easily in the air. Hence keeping clean sheets would be a problem. He did manage to keep 4 clean sheets last season, but would still prefer slotting in at left back rather than a central defensive position.

It’s a good acquisition for Bournemouth. Ake is familiar with the playing style of the club and will prove an important addition this whole season.

All the best to him and his future with the club!!!  

 ⚽ **TRANSFERS: English Premier League 2017/18** ⚽

Veteran Goal Poacher

Player: Jermain Defoe 

Age: 34 years

Position: Centre Forward

To: AFC Bournemouth 

From: Sunderland AFC 

Estimated Fee: Free Transfer

Report: 

Bournemouth may have just signed the best Bosman deal of the transfer window. Securing the signature of England ace Jermain Defoe guarantees one thing, Goals! Goals! Goals!

Defoe becomes Bournemouth’s second arrival this summer having completed his medical almost a month ago. Soon to turn 35 years this year, he still has all the abilities to perform at the highest level.

Defoe’s career statistics: 

• The shining light for Sunderland upfront  ✅
• Helped them battle through relegation in 2015/16  ✅
• Earned an international call up at 34  ✅
• Played for top English sides including Portsmouth, West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur  ✅
• Made a total of 602 appearances at club level  ✅
• 468 appearances in the Premier League  ✅

• Defoe’s goal scoring record speaks for itself 
• 235 goals in all competitions
• Managed to score 15 goals in the Premier League last season 
• At international level, he has won 57 caps, scoring 20 goals

Defoe at his best: 

• At 34, Defoe still has the ability to run behind defenders  ✅
• Exquisite one V one play and finishing  ✅
• Will find himself 90% times in the box when Bournemouth attacks  ✅
• A menace for opposition defenders ✅
• Known for his trickery to win penalties  ✅
• Can score all types of goals  ✅
• The right man to have in the right place when the team needs a crucial goal  ✅

Defoe – King combination upfront: 

This will be an exciting combination for the upcoming season! King was Bournemouth’s top scorer last season with 16 goals in the Premier League, Defoe scored 15. So it’s safe to say that both players are sailing in the same boat.

King played majority of last season at No.9, now he has a partner. King can easily settle in his preferred No.10 role with Defoe moving in as the No.9. With this, both players would be capable enough to score 10+ goals each next season.

Bournemouth is going to profit greatly from the acquisition of Defoe this season. It will first and foremost eliminate them from any relegation scrap this.

It could even make them Dark Horses challengers for the Premier League this season! Who knows?

Jermain Defoe - The Goal Machine 2016/17 👇 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwKcg3m51zg

All the best to him and the future with his new club!!!   

_________________________________________________________________________

Shot Stopper

Player: Asmir Begovic

Age: 30 years

Position: Goalkeeper

To: AFC Bournemouth 

From: Chelsea FC 

Estimated Fee: £  10 Million (€  11.50 Million)

Report: 

Bournemouth have made their first signing of the season and boy, what an important signing it can prove to be. They have finally replaced their aging goalkeeping crisis by signing Asmir Begovic from current Premier League champions Chelsea for a record £10 Million.

In his youth days, Asmir has played for Bournemouth and now comes with plenty of experience playing at the highest level. He is the perfect signing, a signing which Bournemouth needs to strengthen their overall squad.

Begovic’s career statistics: 

• Stoke's main man in goal ✅
• Left Stoke City and signed for Chelsea ✅
• Chelsea already have Courtois as their first choice keeper ✅
• Won a Premier League winners medal ✅
• Gave away a major portion of game time ✅
• Has played in all the 4 English divisions ✅
• Made a total of 173 appearances ✅
• Kept 50 clean sheets ✅
• Played for 2 seasons with Chelsea ✅
• Made 33 appearances in all competitions keeping 10 clean sheets ✅

Goal Keeping Attributes:

Begovic was once regarded as the best shot stopper in the Premier League for 2 straight seasons. He still needs to find his lost form and establish as Bournemouth’s No.1. He has decent reflexes and is also a penalty save specialist. There’s no doubt that he will bring talent and a winning mentality to the Bournemouth side.

Asmir Begovic - Welcome to Bournemouth! 👇

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DZNgku7Cy0

All the best to him and future with his new club!!!   

 ⚽ **TRANSFERS: English Premier League 2017/18** ⚽

Midfield Maestro

Player: Will Hughes 

Age: 22 years

Position: Central Midfielder

To: Watford FC 

From: Derby County 

Estimated Fee:  £8 Million (  €9.10 Million)

Report: 

The central midfield position is one that Watford have struggled with since a long time. They have acknowledged the problem and have come up with a solution. 

New Watford manager Marco Silva has announced his first signing of the summer by bringing in U-21 English international Will Hughes from Championship side Derby County. Hughes’s journey to the Premier League was coming any day soon with the talent that he possesses. Hence, Watford made the first move and got him.

Hughes’ career statistics: 

He made his debut for Derby’s first team at age 16 and has since been an ever present midfielder in their side. Despite suffering lengthy injury spells, he has made a staggering 189 appearances for the Derby first team, scoring 12 goals and assisting 18 times.

Hughes’ midfield brilliance: 

• Main Attribute - Creativity in central midfield ✅
• A natural box-to-box midfielder ✅
• Can score 10 goals+ every season in the future ✅
• Will deliver pin point long range passes ✅ 
• Play the perfect through ball ✅
• A perfect left foot to deliver crosses and strike a perfect free-kick ✅
• His height is an advantage to head on goal ✅
• A future Watford captain in the making ✅

Any concerns: 

In his first season, Hughes has to maintain his fitness level and not pick up long term injuries. His long term injuries have been the main cause in his progress at Derby. If he remains injury free, he will be an integral part of Watford’s success this season.

All the best to him and his future with his new club!!! 

Will Hughes - The Midfield Passer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUrs9lNbuVg