Bournemouth’s Midfield Is One Of The Best In The League

Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth have struggled with a lot of injuries this season, but they are now approaching a time where the boss might have some decisions to make when it comes to first team selection, especially in the midfield. Justin Kluivert will undoubtedly hold down the number 10 slot, having scored 12 league goals this season, but the two holding positions behind him are certainly up for grabs.

What Has Happened This Season?

For a while now, those two positions have been occupied by Ryan Christie and Tyler Adams. These two are both combative and energetic players capable of breaking up play and launching quick attacks for the Cherries. They are excellent in the press and help Bournemouth suffocate teams.

Most times possession won in Europe's top five leagues this season:

◎ 161 - Pedri
◎ 159 - Moisés Caicedo
◎ 158 - Adrien Thomasson
◎ 158 - Ryan Christie
◎ 150 - Ola Aina pic.twitter.com/4baJtHsnYa

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 3, 2025

Due to injuries at right back to Adam Smith, Julian Araujo and James Hill, Lewis Cook has been moving out there from the midfield ever since Adams returned from injury. Cook has a play style that combines both Christie’s and Adams’ best attributes while being ever so slightly more defensive. He has performed well at full back, but Bournemouth fans will know just how much he adds to the midfield, so will want him back there as soon as possible.

What Do The Stats Say?

Adams ranks at number four for the most tackles made per 90 in the Premier League this season. The only midfielder who ranks above him is Idrissa Gueye from Everton, while Cook is in the top 30 of all Premier League players above the likes of Mateo Kovecic and Bruno Guimaraes.

Similarly, Adams is the second Bournemouth player in terms of interceptions behind centre back Dean Huijsen and the fifth midfielder in the league. Christie and Cook are both high up on the list too, but as are a lot of Cherries players like Milos Kerkez and Illya Zabarnyi.

Tyler Adams has been a revaluation at Bournemouth this season!🇺🇸🤩

No player averages more tackles per 90 than the Cherries midfielder, who has well and truly shone under Andoni Iraola!#AFCB pic.twitter.com/tob5xZrfSA

— Top4tiers (@Topfourtiers) January 31, 2025

Despite registering fewer assists than the likes of Dango Ouattara and Justin Kluivert for Bournemouth this season, Lewis Cook still ranks second in the team for key passes per 90 and third highest for players who have played at full back this season behind the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Leif Davis.

Attacking wise, most of Bournemouth’s play comes down the wings, but interestingly Alex Scott, who has been injured for most of the season, has provided the most progressive passes per 90 out of any player in the league who has played more than 90 minutes, with 10. This is more than the likes of Martin Odegaard, Kevin De Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes.

A Tough Choice

For the first time as Bournemouth manager, Iraola actually has a tough choice to make in midfield. When he came in, Adams was injured and only returned for a few games near the end of the season before getting injured again on international duty over the summer. Since he has come back to full fitness, the midfield two has selected itself, with Scott injured and Cook forced into a right back position.

With all four fit again, and Julian Araujo close to a return from injury at full back, it will be interesting to see what sort of line up the boss goes for.