Time For Bournemouth Right Back Juanlu Sanchez To Step Up And Compete

There comes a point in every new signing’s Bournemouth career when potential needs to become performance, and for Juanlu Sanchez, that moment is beginning to arrive. The summer arrival was brought to the south coast with the expectation that he could provide quality and competition at right back, yet captain Adam Smith remains the established first choice. Smith’s experience and leadership remain hugely valuable, but at 35, Bournemouth also need to start looking towards the future in a position that will demand plenty of energy, especially with the club facing a packed schedule across domestic and European competition. For Sanchez, that creates an opportunity he simply cannot afford to overlook. The Spaniard now needs to show Cherries supporters exactly why Bournemouth moved to sign him, pushing Smith for minutes and demonstrating that he can be trusted when the demands of the season begin to take their toll.

Juanlu Sanchez’s route to Bournemouth has been built on versatility, development and a gradual emergence as a right back. Born in Dos Hermanas, near Seville, Sanchez joined Sevilla’s academy at 12 and progressed through the club’s youth system before making his senior debut at just 16. After establishing himself with Sevilla Atletico, a loan spell at Mirandes in 2022/23 proved particularly important, with Sanchez becoming a regular at right back and gaining valuable experience in the position.

He subsequently returned to Sevilla and developed into a regular first team player, making 90 La Liga appearances and contributing four goals and nine assists according to Opta’s career data. His versatility has also seen him operate as a right winger and midfielder, while his attacking ability, dribbling and physicality make him an interesting option from full back.

Bournemouth completed his signing in August 2026 in a deal worth up to £11.2m. At 23, Sanchez represents an investment in the future as well as additional competition for club legend Adam Smith. The question now is whether he can turn that potential into consistent Premier League performances and ultimately establish himself as Bournemouth’s long term answer at right back.

The message is clear for Sanchez, the opportunity is there, but he now needs to take it. Adam Smith remains the club’s established right back and captain, but with the demands of a season that includes Premier League, domestic cup and Europa League football, the Cherries will need to manage his workload carefully. Smith is currently the only recognised right back registered in the Europa League squad, making the Premier League and domestic cup competitions particularly important opportunities for Sanchez to earn minutes and allow his captain to be rested when required. However, that rotation only works if Sanchez is ready to step into the side and perform at the required level. The summer signing needs to push Smith, demonstrate his quality and show manager Marco Rose that he can be trusted when called upon. For Sanchez, the chance to stake his claim is there and now he needs to go and grab it.