It is clear that since the appointment of Marco Rose, David Brooks is not the preferred choice of winger to play off the right hand side. Is this a problem that needs to be resolved, or should Cherries cut their losses and look to move the Welshman on to a new club?
David Brooks’ latest Wales appearance this evening may have offered another reminder that the Bournemouth winger could be approaching an important crossroads in his career.
Brooks was handed a starting role against Portugal in Wales’ Nations League opener on Thursday night, but his evening ended after just over an hour, with Daniel James replacing him in the 63rd minute as Wales eventually suffered a 1-0 defeat.
For a player who has spent so much of his career showing flashes of genuine attacking quality, his current situation at club level is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Since Marco Rose took charge at Bournemouth, Brooks has struggled to establish himself as a regular part of the manager’s plans. His opportunities have largely come from the bench, and that lack of consistent football is perhaps reflected in his overall impact when he does enter matches.
Brooks has made four Premier League appearances this season, all as a substitute, with just 45 minutes of league football. His most recent Bournemouth appearance came against Liverpool, when he played only 15 minutes.
That would be concerning enough, but there is another element to it. There was a time when seeing Brooks introduced from the bench felt like an opportunity for Bournemouth to inject creativity into a match. His close control, movement and ability to beat a man made him capable of changing the dynamic of a game.
Rather than consistently forcing himself into matches, Brooks has too often struggled to make a meaningful impact during his substitute appearances. That does not necessarily mean the ability has disappeared, but at 29, the question is whether Bournemouth are going to see the best of him again on a regular basis.
As Brooks only signed a contract extension last year, shifting him on may be more difficult than if he only had a year or so left on his deal.
Ultimately, it is becoming increasingly clear that Brooks is down the pecking order at Bournemouth. The emergence of Rayan and Ben Gannon-Doak has only made his path back into the starting XI more difficult, with both youngsters impressing when given opportunities and earning more minutes across the forward line.
REUTERS/Vincent WestWith competition for attacking places stronger than ever, Brooks may find himself needing to seriously consider whether his future is better served elsewhere, where he can play regularly and rediscover the spark that once made him such an exciting player for Cherries.
