--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-06-09T18:50:31.585Z last_updated: 2026-06-08T23:00:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/bournemouth/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYm91cm5lbW91dGhlY2hvLmNvLnVrL3Nwb3J0LzI2MTcyMTI2Lm1hcmNvLXJvc2VzLWZpcnN0LWFmYy1ib3VybmVtb3V0aHMtc3F1YWQtYXNzZXNzZWQvP3JlZj1yc3M --- # Cherries squad assessed ahead of Marco Rose - **Source:** - **Published:** 8 Jun - **Club:** Bournemouth - **Original URL:** https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/26172126.marco-roses-first-afc-bournemouths-squad-assessed/?ref=rss THE transfer window opens next week and with new boss Marco Rose at the helm, there’ll likely be some movement. But how does the Cherries squad shape up heading into the summer? The Daily Echo assesses the squad before the new season. Bournemouth’s number one is locked in. Djordje Petrovic was excellent in the second half of last season, and has cemented his place in the team. (Image: Richard Crease) But a big contributing factor to that form was the rest of the goalkeeping department, and that needs work this summer. The club are keen to keep Fraser Forster at the Cherries, after the veteran’s impact on a short-term deal, as something of a mentor to Petrovic. Christos Mandas has provided real competition for Petrovic, and he will return to Lazio after his loan spell. The club will explore bringing him back on loan, but if they don’t, they’ll need to bring in some real competition for Petrovic. Young keepers Alex Paulsen and Will Dennis will likely head back out on loan. AFC Bournemouth President of Football Operations Tiago Pinto at the City Ground, Nottingham. (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire) The Cherries want two players for every position, and they have that at left back. Adrien Truffert was superb last term, and Julio Soler has looked a good back-up when he has played, although he hasn’t had loads of chances. The young Argentine is highly rated, and the pair give Rose a good duo on the left of defence. The club need to recruit here to replace the departing Marcos Senesi. He was a key part of the team last term, and they’ll need ideally a left-footed, left-sided centre back. (Image: Richard Crease) The rest of the department is strong. James Hill was excellent in the second half of the season and Bafode Diakite looked good at times in the first half of the campaign before he lost his place. Veljko Milosavljevic is another top, young prospect, who looked excellent when he was called upon last term. There may need to be recruitment at right back in the summer. The club are waiting for the outcome from the FA’s investigation into Alex Jimenez, and, heading into a season with many more games, starting the season with Adam Smith as first choice and the only right back would not be a good position to be in. (Image: Richard Crease) It might end up that Jimenez is available, in which case Bournemouth will be in a good spot, but ideally they’ll need either him or another right back, with Smith providing a superb second choice as club captain. Likewise, Rose may like the look of either Max Aarons or Julian Araujo, and give them another go – which may mean they won’t need to dip into the market. Central midfield The Cherries have good options and depth here. Alex Scott and Ryan Christie have won the Micky Cave/Daily Echo player of the season in the past two campaigns, while Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook are excellent, first-choice options. (Image: Richard Crease) Highly-rated Alex Toth provides a young talent who will no doubt challenge for more minutes next season. Marcus Tavernier can drop deeper into the number eight role, too, so, provided there are no departures, Bournemouth are well stocked here. Wingers and number ten Ben Gannon-Doak, David Brooks, Tavernier, Amine Adli, Justin Kluivert, Junior Kroupi and Rayan give Rose excellent options on the wings and in the ten. Gannon-Doak and Rayan are top young players on the wings, with the latter having already made a big impact. The former will be hoping for more minutes and an injury-free campaign. (Image: Richard Crease) Kroupi played much of the second part of the season as a second striker behind Evanilson, but he is more of a striker, although can be deployed on the wing if needed too. Kluivert and the young Frenchman then can fill that ten role, as well as the ever-versatile Tavernier and Brooks, if needed. The club may look for another reinforcement in the forwards, perhaps someone who can cover a few roles, but otherwise they are in a good position. Bournemouth will likely be looking for a new striker this summer, it is understood, with Enes Unal likely to move on. Evanilson and Kroupi then would be the two remaining strikers, but the latter at times struggled leading the press when Evanilson wasn’t in the side. So, another striker, perhaps of a slightly different profile to the Brazilian, will be needed.