Why Bournemouth should keep hold of Callum Wilson amidst interest
According to reports in Sun Football, Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson, who was called up to England squad for the November international break, is a £35m target for Chelsea in the January transfer window. The 26-year-old has been in terrific form this season and is on Maurizio Sarri’s radar.
The new Blues boss is looking to bolster his attack when the transfer window reopens and Wilson is one of the forwards the 2017 Premier League champions have looked at. Sarri has witnessed Alvaro Morata turn a corner at Stamford Bridge by scoring goals on a regular basis, however, he is still seeking to buy a forward to add competition.
However, here’s why Bournemouth shouldn’t allow this to happen at any cost.
Callum Wilson – Cherries’ talisman
Bournemouth have made a great start to the season and are sixth in the table after 12 games. Wilson has netted six goals and provided four assists in 12 appearances, an impressive return for a striker who has had a rough luck with injuries in the recent past.
The 26-year-old fought back from two serious knee injuries after helping his club get promoted to the Premier League. But his form when fully fit has always been up to the mark, and that is the case this season.
The Englishman has featured in every league game this season and has been on top of his game. He can score goals, provide assists, but the exciting thing about him is the relentless work rate he possesses in games. He always presses from the front, helping the team to be in a high line, squeezing the oppositions higher up who are playing out from the back.
Bournemouth have been fantastic under Eddie Howe, and are slowly becoming an ideal Premier League team. They are understanding the way things go about in top-flight football and are resisting all the challenges that come by.
With Wilson in the line-up, the Cherries look potent in the attack. The 26-year-old’s habit of playing on the shoulder of the last defender helps in creating space for other forward players such as Ryan Fraser, David Brooks and Josh King.
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They work their way forward with their talisman up top. Selling him shouldn’t even be in their peripheral mind. Instead, the South Coast club should look to tie him to a long-term contract and help the manager build a team that can challenge for a Europa League spot sooner than later.