In Focus: Adams Cherry-picked for Bournemouth's midfield

Bournemouth may not have been the Premier League club that Tyler Adams was expecting to join this summer but it might prove to be the best possible move. 

The American midfielder looked set for a switch to Chelsea earlier in the window, only for the West Londoners to shift targets and pull out of the deal. 

That left the 24-year-old in danger of having to stay put at Leeds in the Championship, before the Cherries came to an agreement with the relegated West Yorkshire outfit. 

Ahead of Bournemouth's match against Tottenham on Saturday, we take a look at Adams' career so far and his future on the South Coast. 

Chelsea dagger

Chelsea triggered Adams' £20million relegation clause earlier this month, before cooling on the move. 

A hamstring injury that the midfielder picked up at Leeds last season supposedly concerned the Blues, who eventually signed Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia instead. 

Bournemouth had no such worries and though they were unable to match the buyout valuation before that contract clause expired, they were able to strike a £23m deal. 

Adams is still recovering from that injury issue, and boss Andoni Iraola is not yet sure when his new recruit will be available for selection.

The Basque coach said ahead of the Spurs clash: "I hope it's soon.

"But he's a player that hasn't played since March. He's coming from surgery with difficult situations in this period so we cannot rush it.

"We have to make sure that he also feels safe and he makes all the ticks before starting with us."

Combative midfielder

Adams made his international debut for USA back in 2017 when he was playing in Major League Soccer for New York Red Bulls. 

A move to Germany with RB Leipzig in 2019 was a natural career progression for the energetic engine room operator, who was sometimes used as a wing-back during his time in the Bundesliga. 

Last summer, he moved to Leeds and impressed in a struggling side. Among Premier League midfielders, Adams ranked in the top 10 for tackles, interceptions and aerial duel wins. 

An injury in March ended his season and was a major factor in the Yorkshire club's relegation, as they badly missed his ball-winning ability and mobility. 

Now he is back in England's top flight, Iraola believes he will add plenty of important attributes to the Cherries.

He said: "I think he will bring a special energy.

"He's a very dynamic player. He will help us with the ball, without the ball.

"He's a young player but with enough experience to be one of the players on the pitch that are pushing for the team."

Leadership material

Despite his relatively tender age, Adams will bring leadership qualities to Bournemouth too.

He skippered the Stars and Stripes at the 2022 World Cup, where he was the youngest captain at the tournament. 

And when asked what he can offer his new team-mates, Adams pointed towards his competitive nature. 

The New York native said: "I like to play at 100 miles an hour every single game and every opportunity I step on the field. 

"For me, if you’re not playing to win, there’s no point going out there. So I'm a competitor at heart. 

"Every opportunity I have to grab three points, I’m going after that."

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