3 AFC Bournemouth Players That Have a Make Or Break Pre Season

The Central Midfield position is arguably AFCB's most competitive spot for selection out of the whole squad, with Scott, Adams, Cook, Christie and Toth all fighting for those 2 spots in the middle of the park, and all of 5 of those players have shown individual qualities that could warrant them a place in the middle under Marco Rose.

After returning from numerous knee injuries in January, Christie has been in and out of the starting XI, with Tyler Adams typically being his like for like replacement. As the 31 year old is the oldest play out of the 5, he has the hardest job to maintain the high levels that he constantly put out under Andoni Iraola. 

Christie will need to take any chance he is given by the scruff of the neck and make that spot his own, as otherwise, with Scott and Toth both in their early 20's, and Tyler Adams in his mid 20's, the Scottish International will struggle to find a way into Marco Rose's midfield.

Another area in the pitch that Bournemouth have incredible strength in depth in is on both wings. With Kroupi, Rayan, Tavernier, Brooks, Adli and Gannon - Doak himself all being under the age of 30, all of Cherries wing options have plenty of time to develop into top class wingers in the upcoming season. 

Doak had a frustrating World Cup with Scotland, often showing glimpses of the quality that he possesses, but not being able to deliver consistently in the group phase for Steve Clark's side. This has been the story of his career at AFC Bournemouth as well, with his first year down South being hampered by injuries. 

With his explosive pace on both flanks, Doak is the exact profile that Marco Rose likes to have on the wing. However, as Rayan has hit the ground running in his first half season at AFCB, Doak will need to show why Liverpool fans rated him so highly in the next 4 weeks to get the minutes that he will feel he needs. 

The final player that has already had a period of time as one of AFCB's star players is Justin Kluivert. Similar to Gannon - Doak, the Dutch International had a frustrating World Cup with the Netherlands after spending a large proportion of the 25/26 season on the sidelines with injury.

Marco Rose will be a big fan of the fact that Kluivert can play as a touchline winger, as well as an attacker that can thrive in tight pockets in central positions, which will play to his advantage in this pre season when he gets his chance to showcase his immense talent. 

In the 24/25 season, the 27 year old notched 12 goals and 6 assists in the Premier League in 34 games, and if Kluivert can find this goalscoring form in Cherries' pre season games, he will find himself in a great battle with Junior Kroupi & Marcus Tavernier to see who gets the nod to start off the left vs Manchester City in AFCB's league opener in just over a months time.