Thursday 1 September 2016

Wilshere brings quality to the Cherries if he can stay injury-free

The toing and froing with the Jack Wilshere transfer saga had him heading to Crystal Palace and then to Roma, while AC Milan even tried to come in at the last minute, so how come he finally sped down at Dean Court for a season-long loan? It is a massive coup for the Dorset side that has landed a full English international player on its books for the coming season, and it appears that Benik Afobe and Eddie Howe had an ear-bending influence on the central midfielder's final decision.
Jack and Eddie last night - image tweeted by SkySports Mark McAdam,
who was detailed to watch any incoming signings at Dean Court on Transfer Deadline Day.
The Arsenal link with Benik Afobe certainly will have given AFCB a bit of a head start on the other teams chasing Jack Wilshere's signature. The way AFCB play and the attraction of working with Eddie Howe were certainly other aspects of the decision that would have been pull factors, as well as the preference for staying in the south of England with his family. Jack may have seen Crystal Palace as a bigger club, but London may have been a distraction for him, whereas it will be football all the way down at Dean Court.

What AFCB fans have to worry about is whether Jack can stay fit for a whole season and if so, who will he keep out of the side? The competition for places will be much stronger in midfield and it has already enabled Eunan O'Kane to depart for Leeds Utd. Whether Harry Arter finds he is not an automatic pick is something I can't quite get used to, but with Lewis Cook and Jack Wilshere in town it is going to be a midfield that will be set to rival more of the mid-table Premier league sides. It can only improve the learning experience of Surman, Arter, Hyndman and Lewis Cook to have Jack around.

Eddie Howe will also get the chance to train one of England's most recognised and gifted international players, even if he is not currently in Sam Allardyce's squad. It will be as inspiring and encouraging for Eddie Howe as it is for Jack to come to Bournemouth. The fans are in for a treat and Warren Cummins' testimonial against AC Milan now takes on even more interest for the world's media and AFCB fans, if Jack is asked to make his AFCB debut then.

You may have missed that Baily Cargill went out on loan to Gillingham, while AFCB signed Mihai Dobre for the U21s. Sam Matthews and Brandon Goodship went to Braintree Town on loan and Sam Surridge is on loan at Poole Town.

The Cherry Chimes' Newsletter is out today!

Cherry Chimes' September Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month, plus there is a special Newsletter article entitled: Simon Francis' form is crucial this season and you can also find out why I have gone off Paul Merson!

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