3 things to look for in match between Chelsea and Bournemouth
1. Former Blue Dominic Solanke has been great for Cherries despite poor record
After contributing a team-high three goal contributions in four contests, the 2014–15 Chelsea Academy Player of the Year Dominic Solanke put pen to paper on an extension until the summer of 2027 this past week. It only makes sense that the former west Londoner confirmed his place on the coast ahead of this weekend.
For the red and black, this is a massive triumph as it locks down a proven striker for hopefully four more years in the Premier League. Iraola’s No. 9 has found his place. It may have taken a few stops, but the Englishmen has officially settled at a top-flight club.
He is the only individual that has played a part in every single minute in the English top-flight for the Cherries so far. Solanke has been responsible for a goal in each fixture expect for his side’s last home contest against Tottenham Hotspur.
Not only is he putting in quality shifts, the striker has all the incentive to show out against a side that let him go upon the expiration of his contract back in 2017. He has already punished one of his former clubs. It only makes sense that he has his eyes on doing it to another. Just three minutes into the Cherries’ trip to Anfield, the Reading native displayed his composure in the final third, laying the ball off to Antoine Semenyo instead of forcing it himself.
The 26-year-old striker mimics the kind of physicality Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi presents between the white lines. Whoever represents the west Londoners’ at center back has to be able to match that.