Dig into the data - what will season deliver?published at 12:07 14 August
12:07 14 August
Chris Collinson BBC Sport football statistician
Bournemouth were not amazing or awful in any particular stat last season, but that is due to the terrible start they had on their way to achieving their highest Premier League points tally.
If those winless first nine games were the runway for Andoni Iraola's ideas to take off, then once they did, the Cherries ranked in the top half for every stat in the graphic except possession.
Indeed, outside the top three, Bournemouth boasted the most shots and the lowest xG against figure.
Only five teams took more points than the Cherries in that time and they also had the best expected goal difference outside of the top three.
This means that, while the loss of top scorer Dominic Solanke is a big blow, it is reasonable for Bournemouth to be aiming for a top-half finish this time around.
When is the Carabao Cup second-round draw?published at 11:54 14 August
11:54 14 August
Image source, Getty Images
The draw for the second round of the Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday at the conclusion of the first-round tie between Leeds United and Middlesbrough.
Thirteen Premier League clubs will enter in the second round, as will Luton Town and Burnley, who were relegated from the top flight in 18th and 19th positions last season.
The draw for round two will be regionalised into northern and southern sections.
The seven Premier League clubs playing in European competitions in 2024-25, including Carabao Cup holders Liverpool, will come in at the third-round stage.
The key dates for the competition are as follows:
Second round - w/c 26 August
Third round - w/c 16 and w/c 23 September
Fourth round - w/c 28 October
Quarter-finals - w/c 16 December
Semi-finals - w/c 6 January (first leg) and w/c 3 February
Gossip: Cherries want Nketiah to replace Solankepublished at 07:34 14 August
07:34 14 August
Bournemouth are targeting 25-year-old Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah to fill the void left by Dominic Solanke, who has completed a move to Tottenham. (Mail), external
Araujo completes Cherries move - tell us your thoughtspublished at 16:11 13 August
16:11 13 August
Bournemouth have signed right-back Julian Araujo from Barcelona.
The 23-year-old has joined on a five-year deal for a fee reported to be about 10m euros (£8.5m).
Chief executive Neill Blake said Araujo is a "young player with high potential" and the Cherries were "pleased to have beaten lots of competition for his signature".
What do you think about the signing, Cherries fans? The type of player you were hoping for?
Breakout star? It's season predictionspublished at 13:06 13 August
13:06 13 August
Tom Jordan Fan writer
Where will you finish in the league and why?
Another season fuelled by optimism for Bournemouth fans and a top-half finish certainly does not feel too ambitious. 10th spot could well be a realistic aim having only lost one key player in Lloyd Kelly from the squad so far, and quickly replacing him with promising defender Dean Huijsen. Andoni Iraola came in last season and despite a period of adjustment, we comfortably managed to finish in a higher position and with more points than in our previous campaign under Gary O'Neil.
Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?
As mentioned, Huijsen is currently the main signing the club has made. Only 19 years of age and having impressed on loan at Roma from Juventus last season, Huijsen has all the attributes to be a fans' favourite for many years to come.
What do you want from your manager this season?
Progression both on and off the pitch is the aim for the club and in Iraola we all feel secure that progress can continue. His offensive and high-energy approach is a delight to watch and should stand us in good stead moving forward.
Who will be the breakout star in your squad?
This could be the season in which Alex Scott shows the league just how great he is. A signing with a lot of potential, he suffered with injuries last season, so if he can stay fit he is most definitely one to watch.
What is your one major concern?
Our main concern is the loss of Dominic Solanke, with Tottenham triggering his £65m release clause. Evidently Dom was enormous for us last season, scoring 19 league goals and linking our forward play exceptionally. Staying would have been a massive signal of intent from the club, alas, we need to be mindful of PSR. Now, the recruitment team have a big job in trying to replace our main man.
Wales defender Chris Mepham, 26, is expected to leave Bournemouth this summer on either a permanent or loan deal, with Ipswich, Torino and Anderlecht all interested. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Bournemouth 3-2 Girona - fans' verdictpublished at 08:20 12 August
08:20 12 August
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's pre-season friendly between Bournemouth and Girona.
Here are some of your comments:
Geoff: Life after Dominic Solanke started on the right foot with a good display and the score could easily have been greater for Bournemouth. I believe the display against Girona proves that we are not a one-trick pony.
Keith: Encouraging performance against a Champions League outfit with Christie excellent. Bring on Forest!
Clive: It was good to see the progress. Undoubtedly some players don't fit the system and style. More outs than ins to come.
Mark: Very good game, with great interplay in attack. One big mistake in defence for cthe Stuani goal. Left feeling that we could have a better season than last.
Gossip: Bournemouth interested in Abrahampublished at 07:37 12 August
'I trust the club' - Iraola on Solanke replacementpublished at 11:44 11 August
11:44 11 August
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Radio Solent's Jordan Clark caught up with Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola after the pre-season victory over Girona.
He asked the Bournemouth boss for his reflections on the departed Dominic Solanke: "We know it’s a big loss - he was probably our best player. He was very impactful for us but also there is a personal part that is also very important. Everyone felt he has given us everything and behaved amazingly until the last minute. Now that he’s gone and is going to play in Europe this season, I hope he performs well and has a great season. We’ll be cheering for him definitely."
On the hopes of signing a replacement: "The club is working on it. It’s never easy to sign forwards, especially number nines. There are not a lot with a level close to the one we lost. But I’m sure the club will do their best and we will be fine. I don’t know about financial fair play or ask about the numbers. Everything is under control. The club knows very well what they are doing."
On if the Cherries will spend all the money they received on Solanke: "It is always difficult but sometimes it’s not only about the money - it’s about finding the right profile with the aim and hunger to play for us and to be important for Bournemouth. It will be difficult but this kind of circumstances happen and now obviously it’s very important because it’s the most expensive sale of the club and it will not be easy to replace him."
Bournemouth 3-2 Girona - tell us your thoughtspublished at 19:24 10 August
19:24 10 August
Image source, Getty Images
Summer signing Daniel Jebbison scored the winner off the bench as Bournemouth rounded off their pre-season campaign with victory over La Liga side Girona.
Justin Kluivert scored an early penalty for the Cherries before Cristhian Stuani equalised. Teenage winger Joel Roca put Girona in front but Luis Sinisterra cancelled out his strike.
And, just two minutes after coming on, Jebbison hinted there was life after Dominic Solanke when he tapped home Bournemouth's third at the back post.
Were you at the game, Cherries supporters?
How is Andoni Iraola's side shaping up for the new season?
Saturday's pre-season actionpublished at 13:59 10 August
13:59 10 August
The Premier League season is fast approaching and clubs are continuing their pre-season preparations.
Here's a look at some of the teams in action on a busy Saturday.
All times BST
'If Solanke goes for £60m+, it's a good deal'published at 17:52 9 August
17:52 9 August
We asked for your thoughts on Dominic Solanke potentially leaving Bournemouth to join Tottenham Hotspur.
Here are some of your comments:
Jack: Solanke is almost definitely leaving, we need to go all out to sign an exciting replacement. Jhon Duran from Villa fits the bill and won't come cheap but, unlike Chelsea and West Ham who he's been linked with, we can offer him a lot of minutes and build our already dynamic attack around him.
James: If he goes for £60m+ it's a good deal. I think Tammy Abraham would be the best replacement we can get this transfer window. Even without a replacement, Semenyo can play up top if required.
Dennis: A deserved move and wished well for his future. Has served Bournemouth well although I would have liked one more season with him. Leaves with love and best wishes.
Lee: Such a shame to be losing Dominic, he's been a brilliant player for us. Hopefully we'll bring in a striker with the same commitment whose ego isn't bigger than the team. Fantastic player, at least now he might get a call-up for the national team. Dominic will be a huge loss to the team.
Ben: I'd have liked to have seen us put up a bit more of a fight to keep him as there's no immediate need to sell him. He's got a few years left on his contract, but you can argue his stock is high and he's earned it. Will be such a shame to see him go and I hope we're not leaving it late to bring in a quality replacement.
Solanke to Tottenham deal completepublished at 16:56 9 August
16:56 9 August
Sources say the deal to take Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth to Tottenham is now done. It is a total package of £65m.
Iraola has 'options' and 'dynamic players' if Solanke leavespublished at 16:23 9 August
16:23 9 August
Image source, Getty Images
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola believes he already has players in his squad who will be ready to step into the centre-forward role if Dominic Solanke leaves the club to join Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent before the Cherries' pre-season friendly against Girona, Iraola outlined his "options" in the number nine position: "It is a shame because it was a very good chance to do a full pre-season with Enes [Unal], but you cannot control these things. He broke his toe with Turkey and he isn't available right now.
"[Daniel] Jebbison is our specific number nine right now. He has been in all of the pre-season games, but we do have other players and we will try others in training.
"We have Justin [Kluivert], [Luis] Sinisterra and we played some minutes with Dango [Ouattara] the other day up front. I think Antoine [Semenyo] is used to playing as a number nine with his national team.
"So we will be analysing everything, but the easiest thing would be to still have Dom up front tomorrow and next week."
Iraola added: "I think we have options in our head of the players who could be good number nines. I think Justin, Antoine and Dango have the experience.
"I think we have the provision of quite dynamic players, who can even interchange positions when we are playing, so if that's the case then we will find solutions."
'Solanke would be a big miss' - Iraolapublished at 15:04 9 August
15:04 9 August
Image source, Getty Images
Dominic Solanke, Bournemouth's top scorer from last season, has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.
Cherries boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking about the potential move and says: “I know talks are ongoing.
“But right now he is our player. That is what I know. I cannot tell you much more.
“Obviously for us, Dom is a very, very important player. But I cannot tell you how this is going to finish.
“Everyone focuses on the goals he scores. He scores a big percentage of our goals."
Solanke scored 19 Premier League goals last season, 13 more than the previous term as his increased output helped Bournemouth finish 12th in Iraola's first season in charge.
“But he gives us much more than goals. He is very complete. He helps us in all the phases of the game. He would be a big miss, obviously," Iraola continued.
“He is someone who has been very involved. He played all the games in the past season. He scored a lot of goals. But if this happens, it has happened in other positions. We have to trust the people inside the club. I am sure they will be ready.
“But I repeat, right now, today, in this moment, Dom continues with us.”
Does Solanke's upward trajectory offer value for money?published at 13:06 9 August
13:06 9 August
Millie Sian BBC Sport journalist
Dominic Solanke has been widely touted as one of the most improved players in the Premier League last season - an accolade which has resulted in plenty of transfer interest for the striker.
Tottenham are in pole position to sign the centre-forward, after the club failed to replace Harry Kane - their all-time record goal-scorer - in the transfer market last summer.
Finding a player to fill the boots of Spurs' former captain is much easier said than done though, with boss Ange Postecoglou stating: "Another Harry Kane does not exist" after his eighth Premier League game in charge of the club.
Interestingly, Tottenham scored more Premier League goals without Kane last season than with Kane the season before - scoring 70 goals in 2022-23 compared to 74 goals in 2023-24.
Their top Premier League scorer in 2023-24 was Son Heung-min with 17 goals, compared to Kane with 30 goals in 2022-23, so it is clear the North London club are still missing their talisman.
Postecoglou also seems to have changed his mind on bringing in a new centre-forward to provide a bit more firepower in his attack, and he will be hoping that Bournemouth's Players' Player of the Season Solanke will be able to deliver.
Having set the Championship alight in 2021-22, scoring 29 goals and registering seven assists in 46 appearances, the Englishman then had a slower start to life in the top-flight, scoring just six goals and registering seven assists in 33 appearances in 2022-23.
But the 26-year-old found new levels in the Premier League last season - scoring 19 goals and registering three assists in 38 appearances - helping Bournemouth to their best top-flight finish since 2016-17.
Iraola was asked about Solanke's rapid turnaround in form in February but the Basque boss did not want to take any credit for his improvement, replying: "I don't think we have improved him. He is the same player."
Understandably, Solanke has caught the eye of Postecoglou but Bournemouth's £65m release clause on their star-man means he will be a costly purchase for any club.
His numbers point to an upward trajectory however, so might the money offer value for a player who seems to be rapidly improving?
Solanke may leave Bournemouth - tell us your thoughtspublished at 11:37 9 August
11:37 9 August
After joining the club in January 2019, it seems Dominic Solanke's time at Bournemouth could be nearing an end, with a move to Tottenham Hotspur on the horizon.
How do you feel about the possibility of his exit? And if he leaves, who could be a realistic replacement?
