Why Bournemouth should try and win the race to sign Rabbi Matondo
According to Wales Online, Bournemouth are among a host of clubs in England vying for the signature of Schalke winger Rabbi Matondo on loan ahead of the January transfer window.
Championship rivals Watford have been linked while Premier League outfits Crystal Palace and Brighton are also willing to offer the Welsh international a route back to English football. It has been claimed that Schalke are prepared to sanction a loan move for the 20-year-old, who has found regular minutes hard to come by in the Bundesliga this term. (h/t Wales Online)
Profile
Matondo started his footballing education at Cardiff City before joining Man City at the youth level. He represented the Cityzens across various age-group level but never made a competitive appearance for the PL giants. The Liverpool-born starlet moved to Germany with Schalke in January 2019 with the hope of emulating the success of former City graduate Jadon Sancho but hasn’t quite made the impact he would have liked.
The youngster started 14 games in the Bundesliga last season while appearing as a substitute on a further 6 occasions, scoring only twice in the process. Matondo has slipped down the pecking order following the dismissal of former manager David Wagner. The winger has started just thrice in the Bundesliga this season so far with his last appearance coming against Freiburg on December 16. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Matondo would add to Bournemouth’s squad depth
Meanwhile, Bournemouth are currently flying high in the Championship after an impressive start to life back in the second-tier. The Cherries are placed third with 41 points accumulated from 22 games so far.
Bournemouth boast the second-best scoring record in the division with 37 goals scored so far. Blackburn Rovers are the only club to have managed better numbers in that regard. The Cherries are pretty well-stocked at both ends of the pitch heading into the crucial second half of the campaign.
Having said that, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Jason Tindall to consider fresh additions to his squad in January. With fixtures set to come thick and fast, Bournemouth’s squad depth will be tested as they seek an immediate return to the top-flight.
Putting things into perspective, Bournemouth completing a loan move for Rabbi Matondo in January would add some much-needed depth to their forward line. The Welshman is primarily a right-winger by trade. But he is more than capable of operating out wide on the other side of the pitch. Hence, his inclusion in the mix would offer Tindall more options to choose from in the coming months.
Bournemouth have some quality wide attackers in the form of David Brooks, Arnaut Danjuma Groeneveld and Junior Stanislas. But summer recruit Rodrigo Riquelme starting just once in the Championship and Joshua King is poised for an exit. Thus, Matondo’s inclusion would definitely be a boost for the Cherries.
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Verdict
Rabbi Matondo has hardly set the world alight in the Bundesliga. But a return to Engish football, especially with a Championship club, could work in favour of his development. Bournemouth can certainly do with some squad options during a hectic second half of the campaign. And the Welshman can be a useful addition to the ranks in that regard.
