Bournemouth
Early returns: Premier League summer signings that have struggled so far
Early evidence suggests several costly summer signings have struggled to justify their transfer fees
More than £3 billion ($4 billion) and 155 incoming transfers set high expectations across the Premier League this summer. Several recruits have settled quickly, but others have produced worrying initial returns that have left managers and supporters asking questions.
Everton’s Thierno Barry arrived from Villarreal after a season that yielded 11 goals and four assists. The 22-year-old joined for £27 million ($36 million) with time to adapt, but he remains behind Beto, has made two Premier League starts, nine appearances in total and is still searching for his first goal or assist for the club. On two occasions he was substituted early: at half time at Anfield and after about an hour at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.
West Ham’s £20 million ($26.7 million) signing Mads Hermansen began the campaign as Graham Potter’s first-choice goalkeeper but has endured a difficult start. The 25-year-old conceded 11 times in four appearances, sustained several high-profile errors and has dropped behind Alphonse Areola with Nuno Espírito Santo opting against an early recall.
Anthony Elanga moved to Newcastle for £55 million ($73.4 million) after scoring 18 goals for Nottingham Forest in 2024–25. The 23-year-old has made 10 appearances for the Magpies without a goal or assist and has oscillated between starting and the bench while competing with Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy.
Jean-Clair Todibo’s permanent move to West Ham cost £32.8 million ($43.8 million) after an obligation to buy. He has fallen out of favour following disciplinary issues under Potter and is unlikely to figure under Espírito Santo.
James Trafford returned to Manchester City for £31 million ($41.3 million) but is now behind Gianluigi Donnarumma and has been restricted to the bench following a difficult display against Tottenham Hotspur.
Alexander Isak joined Liverpool for a Premier League record £125 million ($166.9 million) but missed pre-season after a strike. Arne Slot has eased him in, using him alongside Hugo Ekitiké, with the record signing yet to reach expected levels.
Newcastle paid £55 million ($73.4 million) for Yoane Wissa from Brentford, but a knee injury means he is yet to play for his new club and has only two competitive appearances since the end of last season.
Chelsea’s £51.5 million ($68.7 million) addition Jamie Gittens has made seven appearances and three starts without making a major impact. At Liverpool, Milos Kerkez arrived for £40 million ($53.4 million) to succeed Andy Robertson but has made a sluggish start, was bullied on his debut by Antoine Semenyo and was hooked in the first half against Burnley as he edged toward a red card.
It remains early and circumstances differ across clubs, but the opening weeks have provided enough evidence to raise concerns about several high-cost recruits.
Bournemouth
Four-Goal Comeback Drama Sees United and Bournemouth Share the Spoils
Eight-goal thriller at Old Trafford: both teams exposed in a relentless, chaotic draw. Tense finale!
Manchester United and Bournemouth played out a relentless 4-4 draw at Old Trafford in a match defined by rapid momentum swings and clinical finishing. United twice led in the first half before Bournemouth rallied after the interval to take a 3-2 lead. United then moved ahead again, only for Junior Kroupi to force an 84th-minute equaliser and ensure the points were shared.
The evening began with United dominant. Diogo Dalot’s cross caused confusion in the box and Amad nodded in the opener. Bournemouth responded through Antoine Semenyo, who cut through hesitant passing on the hosts’ left and finished into the bottom corner. Casemiro restored United’s lead with a late first-half header from a corner.
The second half exposed the space left by an isolated United midfield. Marcus Tavernier exploited that gap, first laying on a chance that Evanilson finished and then scoring himself after a quick counter-attack to give Bournemouth a 3-2 advantage. United hit back quickly: Bruno Fernandes produced a top-corner free kick to level and Matheus Cunha fired United back in front shortly after.
Kroupi’s composed finish amid a cluster of defenders brought Bournemouth level again at 4-4. At the death, Senne Lammens made two superb stoppage-time saves to deny Bournemouth a winner.
Several United performers stood out. Bruno Fernandes was influential in possession and scored from a free kick. Amad received strong marks for his industrious contribution, while Matheus Cunha’s movement caused persistent problems for the visitors. Senne Lammens made important late saves despite being beaten by precise finishes from Semenyo and Evanilson earlier.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola had warned his players of the difficulty ahead: “It’s true that we have good memories,” Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola wistfully recalled of his recent trips to Old Trafford ahead of kickoff. “Unfortunately, today is going to be more difficult.” Ahead of the game Amorim told his players, “A change is coming,” but the wholesale tactical shift that had been suggested did not materialise on the night.
The game finished level after eighty-eight minutes of end-to-end action that left both sets of supporters with plenty to digest. Statistically United edged possession and xG but the final scoreline reflected a match of constant openings and exposed defensive moments.
Bournemouth
Man Utd Monitor Tyler Adams as Cost-Conscious Midfield Option
Man Utd have identified Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams as an affordable January midfield option.
Manchester United have opened a monitoring file on United States international Tyler Adams as they explore cost-effective midfield reinforcements ahead of the January window. Fabrizio Romano reports Adams has emerged as a candidate to potentially succeed Casemiro, with the 20-time English champions viewing the Bournemouth midfielder as a more realistic, cheaper option than other targets.
Sources suggest Adams could carry a manageable £40 million ($53.5 million) price tag, but the fee may prove secondary. The Cherries reportedly “insist” on keeping the USMNT midfielder and consider him a very “important” player. With the likelihood of Antoine Semenyo leaving Bournemouth, the club would be vulnerable if they also lost Adams.
Manchester United continue to prioritise Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton at the top of their midfield wishlist, and the club is expected to allow wantaway midfielder Kobbie Mainoo to leave this winter. Against that backdrop, Adams represents a cheaper alternative who can operate as the engine in front of the back line.
Ruben Amorim and Manchester United will get a close look at Adams when Bournemouth visit Old Trafford on Monday evening. The match is also notable for Adams personally: he has fond early memories of the stadium and has spoken openly about its influence on his ambitions.
“It’s just a special occasion,” Adams said on the Men in Blazers podcast . “This is what you grow up watching, whether you’re a fan or not. A fan of Manchester United walking into Old Trafford will change your perspective on everything.
“I played against Manchester United at Old Trafford during COVID[-19] with RB Leipzig. That was the first time I walked into Old Trafford and I was like, my dream is really to play in the Premier League because this is what it’s about right here.
“… Now being able to go back and play there multiple times and have good results, especially makes it a little bit better. So yeah, I always get excited to play against United.”
Adams, who won November’s Premier League Goal of the Month for his 47-yard strike against Sunderland, will be aiming for a commanding display to reinforce his standing as a realistic January target.
Bournemouth
United to Hold Team News on Mbeumo, Diallo and Mazraoui Until Final Deadline
United will delay announcing Mbeumo Diallo and Mazraoui availability until the last possible moment.
Manchester United intend to keep the availability of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui confidential ahead of Monday’s visit by Bournemouth, according to reports. The club will reportedly delay any confirmation until as late as permitted to preserve a tactical advantage.
Amorim addressed the situation on Friday, saying: “We are still in conversations with national teams,” as he indicated he expected clarity “in the 24 hours that followed.” The Manchester Evening News state United will keep the decision behind closed doors in an attempt to surprise Monday’s opponents.
United are under no obligation to reveal the availability of the trio until the deadline of 75 minutes before kick-off, and the club are expected to take advantage of every possible second.
Defensive options remain limited because centre-back duo Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt are still unavailable. There had been initial confidence that striker Benjamin Šeško was close to returning from a knee injury, but that comeback now faces uncertainty after a separate issue.
Amorim was candid on Šeško’s condition: “Ben, we have to see,” he said. “We have to see if he’s available. He had some [food] poisoning but we’ll see. Let’s wait.” No further update has been revealed and there has been significant speculation on social media that Šeško will not recover in time for the Bournemouth match.
Bournemouth will travel with the clear objective of disrupting United’s bid to move closer to the Champions League qualification places. United’s decision to withhold team news until the latest permissible moment is intended to limit their opponent’s preparation and preserve selection flexibility.
