If at the beginning of the season, Bournemouth’s aim was to avoid relegation and improve on last season’s performances, then they can consider this season a huge success. Their points total improved this season by four, but it was their finishing position in the Premier League that was most eye-catching. From a relegation battle last season and finishing in 16th, this season they were comfortable throughout and managed a 9th place finish.
Despite finishing seven places higher than last season, remarkably, they let in the exact same amount of goals. If they are to continue on an upward curve, the defence will certainly need strengthening. They conceded 6 goals in one match against Everton, where Romelu Lukaku ran riot and bagged four and conceded 4 goals twice, against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
The former Celtic and Southampton goalkeeper Artur Boruc, who is now approaching the twilight of his career at 37 years old, was first choice for all but three matches this season. However, only Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes, who conceded 68 and Swansea’s Lukasz Fabianski, who let in 69, conceded more than Boruc this season who conceded 63.
In his 35 starts for Bournemouth, he managed just 9 clean sheets and with a fantasy football value of 7M, he finished with a price/performance ratio of a -2.1 and a points total of -13. He triggered a one-year extension to his current deal, thanks to the appearances he made this season, but with Bournemouth having agreed on the signing of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee, it looks like the Polish international keepers days as the first choice are numbered. However, should he choose to remain at Bournemouth, there is no doubting his quality as a top class goalkeeper and should prove to be more than adequate backup.
New signing Asmir Begovic didn’t have much of an opportunity with champions Chelsea last season and when he was called upon, he hardly enhanced his chances of becoming No.1. He made two starts towards the tail end of the season and in his first league match of the season, Chelsea lost 2-0 to Manchester United. With the league already won, he started between the sticks for Chelsea against Watford and conceded another three, making it five goals conceded in just two starts. Those statistics will have to improve drastically if he wants to displace Artur Boruc, but the former Stoke City goalkeeper who was signed by Chelsea in 2015, will feel he still has what it takes to succeed at the top level.
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