A historic season awaits Bournemouth, who will contest European football for the first time in their history.
The Cherries enjoyed a wonderful 2025/26 campaign, losing just seven of 38 Premier League games and accruing 57 points to finish sixth in the table. Each of those stats was a club record and enough to seal qualification for the Europa League.
But as is ever the case at the Vitality Stadium, there is plenty of squad upheaval to deal with as players come and go, while Andoni Iraola has been replaced by Marco Rose. Are they ready for the rigours of continental competition?
Are Bournemouth prepared for the Europa League?
| Transfer | Player | From/to |
| In | Antonio Silva Alvaro Rodriguez Alex Jimenez Juanlu Sanchez | Benfica Elche AC Milan Sevilla |
| Out | Hamed Traore Luis Sinisterra Marcos Senesi Alex Jimenez Alex Paulsen | Marseille Cruzeiro Tottenham Fiorentina Motherwell |
Bournemouth have made some eye-catching signings so far this summer, with Antonio Silva’s arrival from Benfica the headliner. However, that signing has only served to replace the experienced Marcos Senesi, who has departed for Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer.
Nevertheless, Bournemouth have a good level of depth across most of their squad, with plenty of midfield and defensive options, while Junior Kroupi, Evanilson and new signing Alvaro Rodriguez will battle it out for striker duties.
The one thin area right now is the left flank, with Amine Adli the only natural option there. That said, the likes of Marcus Tavernier, David Brooks and Justin Kluivert can all operate there if needed, so Rose won’t exactly be short of options, even if he doesn’t make any more signings.
Speaking of Rose, he is perhaps the biggest question mark surrounding Bournemouth right now. Can he replicate his German success in England? Can he fill the considerable shoes of Iraola?
The Europa League will place this squad under the microscope, but they have a good baseline of depth and quality with which to handle four competitions.
Key strength
Although they kept 11 clean sheets, Bournemouth conceded 54 goals in the Premier League last season, with only six sides allowing more. At the other end, however, their total of 58 goals scored was bettered by only the top three and Liverpool.
The ruthless finishing of Junior Kroupi was the catalyst for that attacking output. The talented Frenchman — who arrived last summer fresh from a 22-goal Ligue 2 campaign with Lorient — netted 13 goals in 33 Premier League appearances, only 21 of which came from the start.
That’s a phenomenal return for such a young player in his debut Premier League campaign. Even more impressive is his 25% shot conversion rate, which was the highest among English top-flight strikers with at least 25% of minutes played. All of this combined for a Squawka Score of 73%, leaving Kroupi second behind only Erling Haaland (79%) among strikers.
Junior Kroupi’s 2025/26 Premier League shot map
Kroupi is currently sidelined following foot surgery over the summer, but Rose will hope to have his unprecedented goalscoring instincts available to him as soon as possible.
Of course, Bournemouth are blessed with plenty more attacking talents. Evanilson has scored 16 Premier League goals across the last two seasons combined and brings great work rate and link play. He will battle against new arrival Rodriguez for the starting spot in Kroupi’s absence — the latter registering seven goals and five assists in 34 La Liga appearances for Elche last season.
The three positions behind the striker are strong, too. Rayan featured for Brazil at the World Cup over the summer, while Kluivert, Tavernier, Brooks and Adli have all proved they can produce at the Premier League level over the years.
Rose has a deep, dynamic and mobile attacking unit at his disposal, meaning he can employ his high press and have confidence that the chances it creates will be finished.
Three Bournemouth concerns heading into 2026/27
- Adjustment to a new manager: Andoni Iraola worked wonders during his three years in charge at Bournemouth. The now-Liverpool boss saw the Cherries climb steadily in the table, delivering 12th, ninth and, finally, sixth-place finishes. These have been unmatched times at the Vitality Stadium, and while Rose’s appointment is an exciting one, German coaches have enjoyed mixed fortunes in the Premier League and he will feel the pressure Iraola has created.
- European inexperience: So many times over the years, we’ve seen Premier League teams struggle with the Thursday-Sunday Europa League schedule. Bournemouth are complete novices at this level, so the fear is real with this side. Many within this squad have never tasted continental action, and an early struggle to adapt could leave Rose grasping for handholds quickly in his new job. A few positive early results will be essential.
- Wing imbalance: Bournemouth are blessed with some quality options on the right flank, with Rayan backed up by David Brooks and Ben Gannon-Doak. However, on the left, Amine Adli is their only natural option. If the Moroccan suffers a loss of form or injury, that will force Rose to field a right winger, or pull a natural attacking midfielder like Justin Kluivert or Marcus Tavernier across. And that’s without mentioning that Adli managed just three goals and one assist in 31 Premier League appearances last season. If there’s one area where Rose needs to add more quality and depth, it’s here.