Three Bournemouth players who should be nowhere near starting XI vs Chelsea after Everton shockers
Bournemouth are looking to end a miserable five-game winless run when they take on Chelsea on 6 December.
James Garner was one of the bright sparks for Everton against Bournemouth in their tense 1-0 victory on 2 December.
The defeat signals growing concerns on the south coast after an incredible start to the 2025-26 campaign, coinciding with Andoni Iraola’s reluctance to sign a new deal to stay at Bournemouth past this season.
Ahead of a must-win clash against the Blues, the Spaniard will have to make some bold decisions on his team selection to inspire a much-needed victory.
Marcus Tavernier
Settling for a spot on the bench in the midweek defeat against the Toffees, the Englishman may have to sit out once again against Chelsea.
Bournemouth fans were incandescent with Marcus Tavernier against Everton after he appeared to angrily respond to frustrations from the crowd when he came on.
The reaction to the number 16’s actions has been far from pretty, with some supporters pushing for the midfielder to be axed from the squad altogether after the bust-up with the Cherries faithful.
Although there’s yet to be an apology from the 26-year-old, Iraola called for his players to “focus on the pitch” and “to focus on the ball” (Tribal Football, 3 December) in regards to the fan-player altercation.
Justin Kluivert
Since coming back from injury, the Dutchman has struggled to rediscover his excellent form from last season, notching just once in 12 appearances in the Premier League.
At the Vitality during the midweek, Justin Kluivert was not as impactful as Iraola would’ve wanted, creating just one big chance in 70 minutes.
Moreover, his hotheadedness got the better of him when he picked up a yellow card in the 45th minute for a foul, leading to feisty words with the opponent over the challenge.
Crucially, Kluivert’s work rate may be letting the Cherries down, as he won just four of his 10 duels against the Toffees, something which Chelsea would look to exploit if he starts.
Junior Kroupi
The 19-year-old has shown much promise for Bournemouth in his first season down on the south coast, already scoring four times in 11 Premier League appearances.
However, Junior Kroupi’s inexperience was clear to see against Everton as he was frequently outmuscled by James Tarkowski and Jake O’Brien.
That inability to hold up the ball damaged the Cherries’ attacks, with the game calling out for the expertise of Evanilson.
A recall for the Brazilian against the Blues would be a wise choice, potentially using Kroupi as an impact sub or even as a number 10 to support his fellow striker in transition.