AFC Bournemouth have been active during the transfer window, with Tyler Adams the latest player linked with a move to the South Coast, according to Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam.
The USMNT captain is just what Andoni Iraola will be looking for to help bolster his midfield options following the departures of Jefferson Lerma and Ben Pearson.
‘Sensational’ Tyler Adams Linked With AFC Bournemouth
BREAKING: Bournemouth have triggered the £20m release clause of Leeds' Tyler Adams 🍒 pic.twitter.com/iG7PjOeAdf
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 14, 2023
Cherries Trigger £20 Million Release Clause
Bournemouth have activated a £20 million release clause in Adams’ contract, according to McAdam. The Dorset club were alerted to the possibility of the 23-year-old’s availability following Chelsea’s initial interest in the midfielder.
The Blues had been worried by a hamstring injury that will keep the “sensational” player out at least four more weeks, the Daily Mail reported, and have now snapped up Moises Caicedo for a British record £115 million fee, whilst continuing to pursue Romeo Lavia as well.
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Iraola’s side appear to have not been put off by the American’s injury, much like their pursuit of Alex Scott, who the club signed for £25 million, despite the 19-year-old picking up an injury during pre-season.
The Cherries have plenty of forward-thinking midfielders in Philip Billing, Joe Rothwell, Hamed Traore, and Scott, with Lewis Cook often being deployed as the more defensive midfield option. Adams would be a big improvement and could fit in well with Iraola’s system at Vitality Stadium.
Tyler Adams An Improvement on Cherries Current Options
What sets the 23-year-old apart is his defensive attributes, making him a real enforcer in the middle of the park. According to FBref.com, the midfielder is in the top 98 and 97 percentiles for tackles made and blocks when compared to players in Europe’s top five leagues in 2022/23, whilst falling into the top 97 percentile for interceptions.
Compared to Cook there are vast differences in their defensive capabilities as well. In 24 appearances for Leeds last term, Adams made 89 tackles, compared to Cooks’ 37 in 28 games, with Adams making almost half of those in the defensive third.
Adams was also far more productive with the ball, completing nearly twice as many passes than Cook. Some of this will be down to the different styles adopted by Leeds and Bournemouth last season, however, it shows Adams’ ability to help progress play once he has won the ball back – something that will be key under Iraola.
Read More: What Qualities Milos Kerkez Will Bring to AFC Bournemouth Under New Manager Andoni Iraola
The American international also fits the mold of one of Iraola’s former players, Oscar Valentin. The Spaniard holds similar numbers for tackles, blocks, and interceptions for Rayo Vallecano last year and was an important part of Iraola’s system.
With the Spanish coach heavily involving his full-backs in attack, it is vital for there to be at least one defensive-minded midfielder to provide cover for Milos Kerkez and Max Aarons, who will inevitably leave gaps as they maraud forward.
Adams can then provide a safety net for the Cherries as they push high up the pitch and allow the full-backs and creative midfielders to feel comfortable, knowing they have someone covering the gaps they leave behind.
This all bodes well for Cherries fans then who can expect the 23-year-old to sit in front of the back four, break up play, progress the ball forward, and give the more creative players in the side a license to roam forward.
