Bournemouth Braced for Tougher Premier League Test After Summer Exits | OneFootball

Fresh off their joint-best finish in Premier League history, a new-look Bournemouth gear up for the 2025/26 season.

Andoni Iraola inspired the Cherries to only their second top-half finish in their eighth season in the top flight last year.

Despite facing long odds, they spent most of the season tussling for European spots but eventually lacked consistency down the final stretch.

Particularly outstanding at the Vitality Stadium, they earned a reputation as ‘giant slayers’ after beating four of the traditional ‘Big Six’ at least once during what was a remarkable campaign.

As is often the case in football, Bournemouth became victims of their own success, losing several key players to top clubs during the early transfer window.

Unable to find decent replacements, Iraola’s charges now face an uphill task to match last year’s results and avoid another season-long struggle in the lower reaches.

Read on as we preview the 2025/26 Bournemouth season.

Bournemouth Fixtures

Bournemouth desperately need a strong start, but their opening-day fixture away to Anfield to meet defending champions Liverpool doesn’t fit the bill.

It’s more likely that they’ll seek their first win of 2025/26 in their opening home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers in their second game.

Not until the start of November will the Cherries face a team from last season’s top four when they travel to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City.

Early December brings more mouth-watering fixtures, with Bournemouth meeting Chelsea (H) and Manchester United (A). Interestingly, they’ll close the calendar year away to the former.

While a Boxing Day clash against Brentford doesn’t look scary on paper, the Cherries’ first match of 2026 against Arsenal will be a stern test.

January won’t be kind to Iraola’s side. After hosting the Gunners, they lock horns with Tottenham Hotspur (H), Brighton & Hove Albion (A) and Liverpool (H) during a brutal patch.

Another challenging run of fixtures arrives between late March and mid-April when they clash against Man Utd (H), Arsenal (A) and Newcastle United (A).

Bournemouth’s season concludes away to Nottingham Forest.

Manager

After establishing Rayo Vallecano as a permanent fixture in La Liga, Iraola moved to Bournemouth in 2023 and immediately turned their fortunes around.

Despite a 12th-place finish in his first season in the Premier League, the Cherries showed signs of progress, especially following a horror start to his tenure.

Last season was even better, as the team looked more fluid in possession and more threatening in front of goal, resulting in their most prolific season in the top flight yet.

Focusing on quick ball recoveries and counter-attacking football, Iraola has maximised Bournemouth’s scoring potential, leveraging their strength on the flanks.

More importantly, the team’s defensive output has not suffered as a consequence of the 43-year-old’s direct approach, with 46 goals conceded their lowest in Premier League history.

If they can continue in the same vein despite numerous high-profile exits, another mid-table placement should be a virtual certainty.

Transfers

It’s hard to shrug off the feeling that Bournemouth enter the new season significantly weaker than last year, which threatens to undermine their progress under Iraola.

Goalkeepers Mark Travers and Kepa Arrizabalaga have joined Everton and Arsenal, respectively. While their exits may not seriously impact the team’s ambitions, two crucial defensive departures could.

Dean Huijsen’s transfer to Real Madrid has earned Bournemouth £50 million, while the sale of Milos Kerkez to Liverpool has added another £40m to their coffers.

As if that wasn’t troubling enough, the Cherries have sanctioned Ilya Zabarnyi’s mega-money transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, losing both first-choice centre-backs in one summer.

Experienced midfielder Joe Rothwell has joined Rangers, with Jaidon Anthony switching to Burnley for a reported fee of £7.5m.

It’s also worth noting that Max Aarons and Daniel Jebbison left the Vitality Stadium on loan, with the latter following in the footsteps of Rothwell to team up with the Gers.

However, the question is – what will Bournemouth do with all that cash? They have completed two incoming transfers to date.

Djordje Petrovic has arrived from Chelsea in a deal worth £25m to take Arrizabalaga’s place between the sticks.

Bournemouth have splashed out £14.4m to sign 23-year-old left-back Adrien Truffert from Rennes to fill the vacancy left by Kerkez’s move to Anfield.

There’s more than enough time for the Cherries to put their summer profit to good use.

Starting XI

Iraola has been stubborn about his favourite 4-2-3-1 set-up since taking over the reins at the Vitality Stadium and will likely stick to it next season.

Petrovic will be in goal despite Neto’s return from a season-long loan at Arsenal.

As aforementioned, Truffert will take Kerkez’s place at left-back, with captain Adam Smith operating on the right.

Bournemouth have yet to find Huijsen’s heir, meaning Marcos Senesi will likely partner with Chris Mepham in defence.

Tyler Adams and Alex Scott anchored the midfield for most of the 2024/25 season, with Philip Billing mostly playing second fiddle before joining Napoli on loan in January.

However, a lightning-fast attack has been the Cherries’ standout feature under Iraola.

With Marcus Taveriner and Antonine Semenyo on the flanks and Justin Kluivert in the middle, Bournemouth boast one of the most dynamic and versatile frontlines in the division.

If Evanilson can find consistency in front of goal, this exciting-looking attack could outperform last season’s numbers.

(4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Truffert, Mepham, Senesi, Smit; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson.

Star Player

Semeyno is more than just the most expensive player in the squad. He’s a menace on the wing, undoubtedly one of the most potent forwards in the Premier League.

His ability to get out of tight spaces and make progressive runs with the ball has caught the eye of numerous top clubs in the division. However, he penned a new contract in July.

Last season was a success for Semenyo, even though he wasn’t punching digits like his more esteemed colleagues from the famous Big Six.

The 25-year-old’s tally of 11 goals and six assists was decent, but a player of his quality will probably seek more impressive figures.

Prediction

Safe from relegation conversations, Bournemouth will likely aim to consolidate their position in Premier League’s mid-table.

European qualification seems like an unrealistic target, and the Cherries look set for another season-long tussle for the Premier League’s middle ranks.

Another top-half finish will be less likely unless they manage to rebuild their squad quickly.

Predicted finish: 11th.

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Read Next: Our full Premier League 2025/26 preview (with links to all individual Premier League team previews).