Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe. (Getty Images)
The former Chelsea centre-back has been at his very best for Bournemouth since the move from Stamford Bridge, but now could be on his way back. The Mirror has revealed that the Cherries are resigned to losing their star man soon but it could be sooner rather than later. The Blues are not the only side interested in the England centre-back, with the Telegraph reporting links to Tottenham and Manchester United.
It will make things complicated for the Cherries and given their precarious position in the league, Eddie Howe will target replacements, sooner rather than later. That being said, here are three potential replacements for the 24-year-old star.
The young centre-back arrived recently at the Vitality Stadium, but he did so to great pomp and promise, with many considering him to be the future of Eddie Howe’s backline. That’s no surprise, especially given Mepham’s performances for former side Brentford, with the 21-year-old showing exactly why Bournemouth paid £12million for him.
The 21-year-old will need time to adjust and flourish in the Premier League, that’s something the Cherries have to give him, if they want to get value for their money.
He arrived at Hertha Berlin a little over four years ago but since then, the 23-year-old Niklas Stark has gone on to become a consistent figure for the Bundesliga side. That combined with his versatility has made him a very valuable player for Berlin, making 100 appearances on the dot. However, it’s his consistency and maturity that Bournemouth are looking for and like Nathan Ake, Stark has it in spades.
While only time will reveal how well the 23-year-old perform in the Premier League, Stark’s strength and talent as a centre-back simply make him a must-have. That combined with his tall 6’2” frame and his composure on the ball certainly adds to his value and makes him a great replacement for Nathan Ake.
Few Premier League defenders within Bournemouth’s price range would be as affordable as the Chelsea captain. The 32-year-old has been a picture of perfection since his move to Stamford Bridge, making over 340 appearances in the Premier League alone, which showcases exactly what he offers to any potential suitor.
For the Cherries, what makes the deal even better is the fact that Cahill’s current deal with Chelsea expires at the end of the current season. This means that any move for the centre-back now or in the summer will come to be a cost-effective option.
Eventually the Cherries will have to add another star to replace the 33-year-old, but the transition will be much smoother and it will allow Chris Mepham to develop and learn from one of the best in the Premier League.
