He once had no future at Bournemouth, now award-winning star is flying above the Premier League’s best
Andoni Iraola’s side have experienced a sensational start to the 2025-26 campaign as Bournemouth sit fourth in the Premier League table.
Bournemouth drew 0-0 with Newcastle United on Sunday, 21 September, but after Nick Woltemade should have been awarded a penalty, the Cherries might have fallen to their second defeat in the league.
Only Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham are above them in the table, and Iraola is being given his flowers for the decisions being made at the Vitality Stadium since the summer.
Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi, and Dango Ouattara were all sold over the transfer window, but having managed to keep hold of Antoine Semenyo at Bournemouth, the team are flying once again.
David Brooks vindicates Bournemouth’s contract decision
One of the decisions which caught the most attention was Bournemouth rewarding David Brooks with a new contract after the Welshman became an integral part of the squad last season.
It already appears to be paying off because, while he only has one assist to his name in five appearances, according to Squawka, he has created more big chances than any other player in the Premier League.
With four big chances created, he ranks above Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Man City’s Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish, and Joao Pedro, flying above the star names after putting pen to paper on a new deal.
He also won Goal of the Month for January 2025, netting a spectacular volley against Arsenal.
With the talent in the Cherries’ squad, it is only a matter of time before these chances turn into assists, and he is unlikely to go the season without a goal to his name.
Brooks’ future at the Vitality Stadium was not always certain
Back in May 2024 [Bournemouth Echo], Brooks said, “I think in terms of the summer, it is out of my hands. I don’t know what Bournemouth want to do with me.“
On loan at Southampton that season, he continued: “In terms of what they’ve seen over the past couple of months, whether they want me or whether they want to get rid of me.”
As sad as it is to say, recovery from his cancer diagnosis left his future uncertain, as the 28-year-old attempted to return to full fitness. Clearly, he has succeeded in his journey back to the top.
It really has been a whirlwind few years for the playmaker, but after securing his future with the Cherries and becoming a key player for Iraola, he is repaying the faith shown in him by the club.