Bournemouth are heading into the 2025-26 Premier League season with a mix of optimism and uncertainty, following a record-breaking 2024-25 campaign. Andoni Iraola, who has proven to be a tactical mastermind, led the Cherries to a ninth-place finish, their best-ever Premier League result, accumulating a club-record 56 points. They also achieved new club highs for wins and goals in a top-flight campaign. However, replicating that success will be a challenge after losing key players in the summer transfer window.
Last Season's Successes
Bournemouth's success in the 2024-25 season was built on a foundation of high-energy pressing and attacking football. Iraola's tactics transformed the Cherries into a team that opponents hated to play against. They excelled at winning the ball back in the opposition's third, creating numerous transition opportunities. The Cherries also demonstrated their ability to perform against top sides, securing memorable wins against Manchester United, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and doing the double over Arsenal.
Several players enjoyed exceptional campaigns, including Ryan Christie, Lewis Cook, Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert. Kluivert and Semenyo both finished as the team's joint top goalscorers with 13 goals each across all competitions. The team also displayed great resilience, embarking on an eleven-game unbeaten run despite being in the midst of an injury crisis.
Key Departures and Replacements
Despite the positive strides made last season, Bournemouth has seen a significant turnover in personnel during the summer transfer window. Three of the back five from their impressive win at Arsenal have departed: Dean Huijsen (returned to Real Madrid after loan), Milos Kerkez (Liverpool), and Kepa Arrizabalaga (returned to Chelsea, then Arsenal). Illia Zabarnyi is also attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
Bournemouth has been active in the transfer market to fill these voids. Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has been signed from Chelsea to replace Arrizabalaga. Adrien Truffert has arrived from Rennes to fill the left-back position vacated by Kerkez. The club also made a significant investment in Evanilson last season, who can improve on his debut season.
Tactical Approach and Key Players
Iraola's high-pressing, energetic style of play will likely remain a key feature of Bournemouth's tactical approach. The Cherries will aim to suffocate opponents, force turnovers, and quickly transition into attacking opportunities.
With several new faces in the squad, it remains to be seen who will emerge as the key players this season. Petrovic will be expected to provide stability in goal. Truffert will need to quickly adapt to the Premier League and provide defensive solidity and attacking impetus from left-back. In attack, Evanilson will be crucial. Semenyo signed a long-term deal.
Challenges and Expectations
Bournemouth face several challenges heading into the 2025-26 season. Integrating new players into the squad and maintaining squad depth will be crucial. The Cherries will also need to address their late-season dip in form from last year, which saw their push for European qualification fade away.
Despite the challenges, expectations remain high at the Vitality Stadium. The aim will be to build on last season's success and establish Bournemouth as a consistent top-half Premier League team. While a repeat of last season's ninth-place finish may be difficult, challenging for a European spot could be a realistic goal if Iraola can get the best out of his squad.
The Guardian writers' predicted position for Bournemouth is 10th.
