Eddie Howe believes he has assembled a stronger Bournemouth squad than last season in readiness for their second year in the Premier League. The winger Matt Ritchie joined Newcastle before Bournemouth recruited Ibe for a club-record £15m, after the England Under-21 player opted to end his four-and-a-half year association with Liverpool. This summer we have sold a couple of key players but we’ve replaced them hopefully with players of huge potential. I think the standard is probably the highest it’s been in a Bournemouth squad, it’s a really talented squad and now of course we have to get results. Howe has signed two exciting prospects – Jordon Ibe and Lewis Cook – from Liverpool and Leeds United respectively but admits they are still scouring the transfer market, with defensive reinforcements now a priority.

Source: The Guardian July 24, 2016 21:30 UTC