Quick, direct and progressive - Who is new Cherries right back Juanlu?

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0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. JUANLU Sánchez became the Cherries’ third signing of the summer yesterday as he joined from Sevilla, but who is the right-back and what could he bring to the club?

Bournemouth were on the hunt for a new right-back after Alex Jimenez was suspended by the FA and placed under investigation at the end of last season.

Jimenez left the club on loan this summer, meaning the Cherries had to go into the market, and they have secured what could be an excellent value deal in Juanlu, in a move worth up to £11.2 million, including add-ons, with Sevilla in some financial trouble.

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In Juanlu, Bournemouth have a quick and direct full-back who will likely suit Marco Rose’s aggressive style of play well.

(Image: AFC Bournemouth)

The 22-year-old was among La Liga’s most progressive full-backs last season, with his desire to get the ball forward quickly a key facet of his game, whether that is dribbling himself or picking a pass.

His crossing into the box is also an important part of his game, with consistent delivery and a good variety in crosses.

Defensively, Juanlu is also strong.

A physical presence, he is 6’1”, which will help Bournemouth in terms of defensive, and offensive, set pieces and the Spaniard is effective at winning ground duels.

Juanlu brings versatility, too.

Primarily a right-back, he can play further forward as a winger and has experience playing more centrally in midfield and even in the number ten role.

(Image: AFC Bournemouth)

The move to Bournemouth is Juanlu’s first permanent move away from Sevilla, where he joined the club’s academy at the age of 12 having been born in the area.

He progressed through the ranks and made his senior debut for the B team aged 16 in 2019, before a first-team debut came in December 2021 aged 18 as he started against Andratx in the Copa del Rey.

A first La Liga appearance came six days later in a 1-1 draw with Barcelona, before a loan to Mirandes in the summer of 2022, where he impressed with 38 appearances in all competitions for the second-tier club.

Juanlu returned and established himself in the Sevilla first team in the 2023/24 campaign, and he has been a regular ever since.

(Image: AFC Bournemouth)

That season saw him make his Champions League bow, and he came off the bench in a 1-1 draw against Manchester City in the UEFA Super Cup, as Sevilla lost on penalties to Pep Guardiola’s side.

Juanlu has been capped at U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 level for Spain, and played for his nation at the 2024 Olympics, helping them to the gold medal as they beat France in the final.

He is Bournemouth’s third new arrival in this transfer window, after the signings of Alvaro Rodriguez and Antonio Silva.