Why Bournemouth should go all out for Rodrigo Riquelme this summer
According to reputed journalist Alan Nixon of The Sun, Bournemouth have entered the race to sign highly-rated Atletico Madrid winger Rodrigo Riquelme to bolster their attack before the deadline.
The 20-year-old has been strongly linked with Championship rivals Reading but the Cherries have now entered the race and are planning to hijack a deal to bring the youngster to the Vitality Stadium. (h/t Sun)
As per the report, Bournemouth have lined up Riquelme as a potential replacement for in-demand £50m playmaker David Brooks, who has attracted a lot of interest from Premier League giants Man United and Leicester City.
Profile
Born in Madrid, Spain, Rodrigo Riquelme featured for the youth sides of Real Zaragoza and Rayo Vallecano before joining Atletico Madrid’s youth ranks back in 2010. He made his senior debut for the Rojiblancos as a late substitute in a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Huesca in the La Liga last season. He then made his second first-team appearance in the Copa del Rey.
The 20-year-old boasts an impressive record for Atletico’s U-19 side in the UEFA Youth League, having registered 3 goals and 5 assists in 18 appearances in the competition. The former Spanish U-17 international has also featured 23 times for the club’s B team in the third-tier, bagging 5 goals and 2 assists in the process.
Bournemouth’s lack of depth in the attack
Bournemouth have raised a lot of cash from the sales of Aaron Ramsdale, Nathan Ake, and Callum Wilson following their relegation from the top-flight. However, the lack of new signings remains a major cause of concern, and their inability to replace the departed stars could well come back to haunt them later on in the campaign.
Dominic Solanke and Sam Surridge have benefitted from Wilson’s departure, with the duo establishing themselves as quality options for Tindall in the No.9 role. While a new striker with more experience would still fit the bill, the Cherries need to prioritise attacking reinforcements in other areas before the deadline.
Junior Stanislas and David Brooks are quality creative players with proven pedigree in the Championship and Premier League. Arnaut Danjuma Groeneveld has also made a bright start in the English second-tier this season.
Why Riquelme could be the answer
Bournemouth lack quality cover for those key players, something that could jeopardise their chances of challenging for promotion at the first time of asking. To that end, the acquisition of a versatile creative player like Rodrigo Riquelme would definitely help the Cherries replenish their lost depth in the attack.
Riquelme hardly has any senior experience under his belt but his glowing track record for Atletico Madrid’s youth and reserve sides should be enough to warrant him a shot at the Championship.
Of course, there are no guarantees that the 20-year-old would be able to cope with the gruelling physicality of the English second-tier but his talent and potential certainly make him worth a punt for the Cherries. Essentially a right-winger by trade, Riquelme is also capable of playing on the left and through the middle in a No.10 role.
Hence, a potential deal for the Spaniard would offer Tindall with some valuable cover in multiple areas across the attacking third. Plus, his presence in the ranks would also reduce the creative workload on some of the club’s existing players in that department.
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Verdict
Rodrigo Riquelme looks more than capable of adding more depth and quality to Bournemouth’s attack while he also ticks the box as a burgeoning young talent with potential. In fact, the Cherries should sign him regardless of what the future holds for Brooks, considering that they are already short of cover.
