Sport
Bournemouth’s 2024/25 season would have looked very different without Dominic Solanke’s goals. The 26-year-old found the back of the net 19 times in 38 Premier League games. Only Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer and Alexander Isak registered more goals than Solanke last term, highlighting his importance to the Cherries.
It was therefore always going to be difficult for the south coast club to replace Solanke after he left for Tottenham Hotspur in a transfer worth a reported £65m. Ange Postecoglou wants the England international to be his new attacking focal point, stepping into the void left by Harry Kane in North London 12 months ago.
The void left by Solanke at Bournemouth will be filled by Evanilson who joined the Cherries from Porto for £40m last week. Having been previously linked with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, the Brazilian has instead ended up on the south coast in a deal that highlights how far the Vitality Stadium outfit have come.
Only 12 months ago, Andoni Ireola was starting his first season as a Premier League manager. Hired after catching the eye at Rayo Vallecano, the former full back suffered a slow start as Bournemouth manager, going nine games without a win, but Ireola slowly started to have success in remoulding his team.
Ireola’s Bournemouth became renowned for their technical ability on the ball. While the Cherries weren’t quite on Manchester City’s level in terms of possession, they become more comfortable having the ball at their feet. Players like Ryan Christie, Antoine Semenyo and Solanke thrived. Ambition grew as Bournemouth finished 12th in the Premier League table. The aim is now to build on this.
This is a club that wants to play in Europe at some point in the future. Owner Bill Foley has placed Bournemouth at the centre of a multi-club ownership group that includes Hibernian in Scotland, Lorient in France and Auckland FC in New Zealand. The idea is that the best talent within the network will be funnelled into the Vitality Stadium. Foley has taken inspiration from City Football group and the Red Bull network of clubs.
On last season’s attendance figures, Bournemouth are the smallest club in the Premier League. The Cherries have embarked only the eighth top division season in their entire history, but have spent over £100m on transfers in each of the last two summer windows. Evanilson, however, is their biggest investment to date. There’s a lot riding on this particular signing.
“Evanilson is a hugely sought-after striker and for us to bring him to the club in a record-breaking deal shows our ambition and intent,” said Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake. “Having scored 25 goals last season, including goals in the Champions League, we feel that his experience and ability despite only being 24 will help us to match our ambitions moving forward.”
In theory, Bournemouth could barely have found a better, more suitable replacement for Solanke. Like Solanke, the Brazilian has an eye for goal have scored 13 times in the Portuguese top flight last term, but he is also proactive out of possession, is able to press from the front and has excellent mover inside the penalty area.
Richard Hughes might have left as Bournemouth’s sporting director over the summer to take up a position at Liverpool, but the recruitment at the Vitality Stadium continues to impress. Evanilson will have to hit the ground running to get close to Solanke’s league tally of 19 goals from last season. As a unit, though, the Cherries could improve with their new Brazilian striker through the door.
