Bournemouth were challenging for European qualification right up until the final weeks of the season last time round but, having lost a lot of key personnel, how competitive will the Cherries be?
What are Bournemouth's confirmed transfers?
Bournemouth's arrivals
- Đorđe Petrović: Chelsea - £25 million.
- Bafodé Diakité: LOSC Lille - £34.6 million.
- Adrien Truffert: Stade Rennais - £14.4 million.
Bournemouth's departures
- Miloš Kerkez: Liverpool - £40 million.
- Dean Huijsen: Real Madrid - £50 million.
- Illia Zabarnyi: Paris Saint-Germain - £54.4 million.
- Jaidon Anthony: Burnley - £8 million.
- Mark Travers: Everton - £4 million.
- Neto: Botafogo - free transfer.
- Joe Rothwell: Rangers - £3 million.
- Max Aarons: Rangers - loan.
- Daniel Jebbison: Preston North End - loan.
Pleased note: all information is correct as of the date of publication.
What happened at Bournemouth last season?
Last time round, Bournemouth enjoyed a record-breaking campaign, one that'll surely be tough to top. The Cherries finished ninth in the Premier League, accumulating 56 points, their best-ever tally in a top-flight campaign, smashing the previous record of 48 set just one year earlier.
Andoni Iraola's side enjoyed memorable victories over Man City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and Newcastle, so were ultimately disappointed to miss out on European qualification by two spots, having been sixth in early-February. So, will Bournemouth once again prove to be a force?
How will Bournemouth do this season?
This'll be Andoni Iraola's third season in charge by the South Coast, and it could prove to be his most difficult, having lost almost the entirety of his defence. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has departed following his loan, while defenders Miloš Kerkez, Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi have been sold for a combined £145 million to three of the continent's biggest clubs.
In their place, Đorđe Petrović will be the new first-choice goalkeeper, arriving from Chelsea, having been one of the best goalkeepers in Ligue 1 last season. Speaking of the French top-flight, defenders Bafodé Diakité and Adrien Truffert have joined from Lille and Rennes receptively, looking to fill the void vacated by the aforementioned departed trio.
Despite all the outgoings in terms of defenders, this squad still possesses plenty of attacking talent, including Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert, who both reached 13 goals last season. Thus, with Iraola in charge, he remains one of the most astute managers in the division, we're forecasting another strong season for the Cherries.
What is our predicted Premier League finish for Bournemouth?
- Our predicted finish for Bournemouth in the Premier League this season: 10th.
What are Bournemouth's first 6 Premier League fixtures?
- Liverpool (A). Friday 15 August. Kick off 20:00 (BST).
- Wolverhampton Wanderers (H). Saturday 23 August. Kick off 15:00 (BST).
- Tottenham Hotspur (A). Saturday 30 August. Kick off 15:00 (BST).
- Brighton & Hove Albion (H). Saturday 13 September. Kick off 15:00 (BST).
- Newcastle United (H). Saturday 20 September. Kick off 15:00 (BST).
- Leeds United (A). Saturday 27 September. Kick off 15:00 (BST).
What are some other key dates for Bournemouth supporters?
- 13 August: Carabao Cup second round draw - taking place around 22:30 (BST).
- 1 September: The transfer window closes at 19:00 (BST).