Premier League team guide: Bournemouth in the spotlight

Bournemouth are aiming to consolidate their position in the Premier League after securing survival in their first campaign back in the top flight.

The Cherries are under new management, with Andoni Iraola taking over from Gary O'Neil, and begin the first full season under the current ownership looking up rather than down.

The club have been busy in the transfer market this summer and look capable of causing more surprises in 2023-24.

Last season: 15th

When Bournemouth lost 9-0 to Liverpool and sacked manager Scott Parker inside the first month of the 2022-23 campaign, they were written off as the Premier League's whipping boys.

Instead, new boss O'Neil inspired one of the stories of the season, as the Cherries' form in 2023 saw them pull comfortably clear of relegation.

As established clubs Southampton, Leicester and Leeds struggled, O'Neil's side won six of nine matches between March 11 and April 30 — including victories over Liverpool and Tottenham — to secure survival.

American Bill Foley's takeover in December was perhaps the turning point, providing positivity and the finances to make key January signings such as Dango Ouattara and Hamed Traore.

New faces

The Cherries have continued to spend this summer as they eye further improvement on last season's efforts.

Traore's loan has been converted into a permanent move, exciting forward Justin Kluivert arrivesdfrom Roma and new left-back Milos Kerkez earned rave reviews for his performances at AZ Alkmaar last season.

Fiorentina midfielder Gaetano Castrovilli failed a medical ahead of a proposed switch so another midfielder is on the agenda — with Bristol City starlet Alex Scott said to be a key target.

Bournemouth are also short at right-back, so strengthening in that area is a priority.

One to watch: Dango Ouattara

Bournemouth benefitted from Foley's ownership of Lorient by signing Ouattara from the French club in January — and his impact was immediate.

The winger set up his side's opener inside 30 minutes of his debut against Nottingham Forest in January and scored a pivotal injury-time winner at Tottenham in April that all but guaranteed their safety.

The Burkina Faso international barely scratched the surface of what he is capable after scoring six goals and assisting six more in the first half of the Ligue 1 campaign.

With even better players around him this term, he seems certain to star for the Cherries again.

The boss: Andoni Iraola

Bournemouth's standout new signing is in the dugout, where one of the most highly-rated coaches in Europe will make himself at home.

The decision to replace O'Neil after last season's success was a brave one but also understandable considering that Iraola was available.

The Spaniard has spent the last three seasons at Rayo Vallecano in Spain, taking them back into LaLiga at the first time of asking before reaching the Copa del Rey semi-final and comfortably securing top-flight status.

Rayo beat both Barcelona and Real Madrid at home last season, with the manager receiving plaudits for his high-octane style of football.

All information correct as of August 8, 2023