HAD it not been for Matheus Cunha’s wonder strike, Bournemouth’s passage through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup would have been a smooth one. They were stronger than Wolves by some distance as the two teams clashed at Vitality Stadium on Saturday. Bournemouth are stronger than most opponents they face these days.

The 2024/25 season so far has been a memorable one for The Cherries. The best in the club’s history. Not only are they now through to the last eight of the FA Cup for only the third time ever, Andoni Iraola’s team are firmly in the hunt for Champions League qualification, currently sitting seventh in the Premier League table.

This is despite Bournemouth having a wage bill that is estimated to be the fourth-lowest in the English top flight. The Cherries are punching well above their weight and could pull off one of the biggest surprises the Premier League has seen since Leicester City won the title by finishing in the top four or five.

Iraola is emerging is one of the best young managers of his generation. Tactically, there are few sharper than the 42-year-old who has got the better of Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, Ruben Amorim, Eddie Howe and Nuno Espirito Santo among others, this season. Bournemouth are a reflection of Ireola as a coach.

 

Stylistically, Bournemouth are capable of playing in a number of different ways. They can control matches through possession. They can also stay compact and hit opponents on the counterattack. Indeed, it’s the latter approach that has made The Cherries reliable giant killers this season. 

Their frontline of Antoine Semenyo, Patrick Kluivert, Marcus Tavernier, and Evanilson as the focal point is capable of causing damage to any team on the break. Between them, they have combined for 24 league goals this season, with Dango Ouattara also contributing as a depth option. 

In central midfield, Tyler Adams has flourished as the ideal anchor for Ireola’s team. The USA international is the safety net Bournemouth need to make their system work in defensive transition, forging a strong understanding with Ryan Christie who has grown into one of the Premier League’s most dynamic two-way midfielders.

At the back, Dean Huijsen is performing at such a high level the teenage central defender could be destined for a big-money transfer in the summer. Even Kepa Arrizabalaga is playing well, giving Bournemouth a way to play out from the back. Iraola is getting the most out of his squad as European qualification beckons. 

“I think we are far from there,” said Iraola when asked about the prospect of Champions League football. “We need still a lot of points. A reality would be at the end of the season. Now, unfortunately for us, it’s not. We have to continue performing well. If we continue performing well, we may have a chance when there are five, six games remaining and then we are fighting. Right now we are still in the process.”

That process predates Iraola. Bournemouth’s transfer model is as shrewd as anything else in the Premier League, with the recruitment of the last few years culminating in the squad Iraola currently has at his disposal. See how The Cherries replaced Dominic Solanke with Evanilson and kept moving forward.

Even if Bournemouth miss out on a Champions League place this season, their process has pushed them in the right direction. They have demonstrated the power of self-renewal that could sustain them even if they lose some key players and possibly their manager. This season, though, could still hold some more memories for Bournemouth’s best-ever team.

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