(Credit: Imago)

Jack Heath

Fri 15 August 2025 17:01, UK

Adrien Truffert has what it takes to be even better than Milos Kerkez as the pair go toe-to-toe in the opening day of the Premier League season.

After Kerkez bagged a move away to Liverpool earlier this summer, the Hungarian will be facing his old employers immediately in the opening day of the Premier League 2025-26 season.

The signing of the 21-year-old has hurled the future of previous first-choice left-back Andrew Robertson into doubt as he looks to play second fiddle.

Former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 20 June that Liverpool and Arne Slot would entertain offers for Robertson amid interest from Atletico Madrid.

The Champions’ opponents Bournemouth have been cleared out this summer as several of their top stars have been sold, landing over £150million after the finalised deal of Ilia Zabarnyi to PSG.

Yet, there has been little focus on Kerkez’s replacement Truffert who is almost certainly set to be in the starting XI for the Cherries after his summer move from Rennes.

Potentially, the Frenchman has got what it takes to outplay the Hungary international tonight, teeing himself up to be another gem for the south coast side.

Truffert able to rival Kerkez as Bournemouth discover another marauding left-back

When comparing the pair using data from FBRef, the numbers suggest that Head of Footballing Operations Tiago Pinto has upgraded at full-back for Andoni Iraola.

Domestically last season, the defending duo were similar for their attacking output with both netting twice with the Hungarian grabbing three more assists than the Frenchman.

However, it is the Rennes academy graduate’s attacking potency that has really caught the eye as the Spaniard perhaps looks to change the way his left-back is deployed.

The number three amassed a whopping 2.4 xG last year compared to the Reds new man’s 0.6, with the France international far more accurate with his shots on target (43.5% v 26.3%).

Conversely, the 23-year-old offers the same creative outlet that Kerkez provided, whipping in 145 crosses last season which is on par with the ex-Alkmaar full-back.

Considering the departures of integral centre-backs Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen, improvements on defensive qualities were also a non-negotiable.

Truffert eclipses Liverpool’s number six in this category, winning 1.18 tackles per-90 compared to the eastern European and winning 50% of his aerial duels versus a poor 36.4% for the Hungary international.

The data highlights that, whilst the Cherries may suffer in the absence of the 21-year-old in the short-term, the signs are there that their new signing has what it takes to be even better than him.

Iraola to change the way his left-back plays in Kerkez absence

The former Rayo Vallecano manager was a big fan of his full-backs, in particular Kerkez, flying forward last season, delivering crosses and being active in the opponent’s box.

Yet, the arrival of Truffert suggests that the left-flank for Bournemouth is about to be even more threatening with an emphasis on scoring as well as creating.

In terms of physique, the pair are both agile, under six-foot and speedy, indicating that Iraola can expect a similar type of player to his new left-sided defender.

The former Rennes full-back was often utilised as a wing-back as well as a bog standard left-back, highlighting the potential for the Frenchman to even play as an out-of-position left winger if required.

As a smaller club, the south coast side are fully aware of the high likelihood their breakout stars get pinched by the big boys from around Europe, yet, the Vitality Stadium will always open its doors to rising footballers able to shine.

Truffert looks to be one of these and I truly believe the Cherries have unearthed another diamond in the rough who could easily outplay the man he replaced in the opening night of the 2025-26 campaign.