Dominic Solanke (!?)

[McFlash]

Easy to dismiss Solanke as a flash in the pan, but it’s not as though his breakthrough is entirely random. He was an elite youth player and he broke goal scoring records coming through at Chelsea which was one of the top academies in the world at the time. Won the Golden Ball as he helped England win the U20 WC. Earned a big move to Liverpool and made his PL debut at 19. Bought by Howe (who in retrospect you have to say has a decent eye for strikers) for £19m. This is a kid who had serious pedigree and potential. He’s been on the scene for ages so it felt as though his career was flatlining but he put up more than decent numbers in the Championship to spearhead Bournemouth’s promotion (26 G/A from 40 followed by 36 G/A from 46 apps) and has continued his growth curve ever since. He’s now fulfilling his promise under a manager who is getting the best out of him and he’s hitting his stride at 26. The likes of Watkins and Toney didn’t make the step up to the PL till they were 24/25 so he’s tracking reasonably well in comparison and it goes to show that continuous improvement isn’t beyond him, even as a late bloomer.

I think it also says a lot for his character that he’s been able to overcome adversity and the weight of expectations having failed to break through at a top club and initially struggling to justify his price tag at Bournemouth. Many in that situation would have sunk without a trace - just look at the careers of Brewster, or Ibe who is now playing non league. Even when he wasn’t scoring goals he was favoured by all of his managers because he worked tirelessly to make himself and his team better. That suggests to me that he’s far less likely to go off the boil and lose his focus.

He has adapted really well and his playing his best football yet under a progressive coach who implements a super high press, and I think his journey would resonate a lot with someone like Ange. I can definitely see him being a target, not least because he’s also HG.

I don't particularly want Solanke but you make some good points in that post.
Nice post.

 

[cliff jones]

How many strikers do that for one season in the Prem and then sink back to mediocrity though. Scored 7 in 35 last season.

There are much better options out there for the money Solanke would cost.

go on…

 

[dontcallme]

He’s a good player but not convinced he’s the right player to lead the line for us.

 

[Ruffinthepuffin]

He’s a good player but not convinced he’s the right player to lead the line for us.

My personal opinion is that he’s a decent player who’s had one great season. Way too risky for us and he’ll be expensive. Very hard pass for me.

 

[FloridaSpur]

How many strikers do that for one season in the Prem and then sink back to mediocrity though. Scored 7 in 35 last season.

There are much better options out there for the money Solanke would cost.

Where was I advocating for the club to sign him?

I was stating a fact on his current form, based on a poster stating that he was "nothing special".

His goals will likely keep Bournemouth up this season, that alone is something special.