Why Tom Pearce would be an excellent signing for Bournemouth
According to a report from Leeds Live, Bournemouth are keen on Leeds United left-back Tom Pearce.
The 20-year-old defender penned a new deal at Leeds in the summer but both Everton and Bournemouth were interested in him at the time (h/t Leeds Live).
Tom Pearce made his debut for the Whites last season but has not found much game time since Barry Douglas’ arrival. The youngster has made just two substitute appearances in the Championship this season, despite Douglas’ injury.
However, Pearce did feature against Nottingham Forest, when he replaced the injured Luke Ayling. But to the youngster’s surprise, he did not see the game out as Bielsa took him off with 25 minutes remaining as Leeds chased an equalizer.
Pearce may find his first-team opportunities again curtailed with Douglas returning to the line-up against Wigan Athletic. With first-team opportunities tough to come by this season, Pearce should seek a move away from Elland Road when the transfer window re-opens.
Bournemouth should definitely make a move for the Leeds youngster in January. Charlie Daniels returned back to the starting XI in Bournemouth’s 3-0 thumping of Fulham. Daniels has had injury problems this season and briefly had lost his place to summer signing Diego Rico. However, Rico’s poor performances at left-back forced Eddie Howe to shift right-back Adam Smith on the left.
And that move worked wonders as Adam Smith did well at left-back while Simon Francis slotted in at right-back. Daniels is now back in the team but he looked rusty in the outing against Fulham and with the left-back turning 32 this September, Howe must start planning for the future.
Rico may well take some time to adapt to the demands of the Premier League but if Bournemouth are to challenge for a spot in Europe this season, squad depth will be necessary. In that case, signing Tom Pearce would make sense for the Cherries.
Pearce would provide good strength in depth. It’s unlikely for the 20-year-old to be a part of the starting XI immediately but he will provide good cover in the defence. He has looked promising for Leeds and could turn out to be a future superstar. Howe has been a big advocate of youth and Pearce could be a great long-term replacement for the ageing Daniels.
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Given that he is under contract until 2022, it will take some really good money to prise him away from Elland Road. Regardless, Bournemouth must not hesitate to splash the cash for the promising Pearce in January.