Young players impress for Cherries and could be in contention for World Cup squads

AS THE Premier League season gears up for its final run-in, eyes are starting to look beyond the end of the campaign and to the summer’s World Cup.

The Cherries are likely to have their biggest representation of players at the summer’s tournament in North America with a number of established internationals, and with many squad members pushing for a spot on the plane.

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In recent years, only Keiffer Moore and Chris Mepham went to the 2022 World Cup, both with Wales, while the club had no active player representation at earlier tournaments in the 21st century.

But this summer, there is a realistic chance that many more than two players head to the tournament, and a number of the club's young stars will be hoping they are firmly in contention for their respective national sides for this summer.

Scotland's Ryan Christie celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the FIFA World Cup (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

Ryan Christie and Ben Gannon-Doak are established in the Scotland squad and played a big role through their qualifying, while Tyler Adams will likely get a call up from co-hosts the USA.

Justin Kluivert has seen his season disrupted by injury but he will be optimistic of making the Netherlands squad, should he get himself fit for the summer.

Cherries loanee at Celtic Julian Araujo will be hoping for a place in fellow hosts Mexico’s final squad, while Marcos Senesi has impressed at centre back this term, earning a recall to the Argentina squad in the October and November international breaks.

David Brooks’ Wales are yet to qualify for the tournament as they face playoffs this month, but should they reach the finals, he’ll be likely to be on the plane.

Belgium's Jeremy Doku (left) and Wales' David Brooks battle for the ball during the FIFA World Cup (Image: David Davies/PA)

March’s international break will be a good indication on where the Cherries players are in the pecking order for a potential inclusion for the World Cup.

Alex Scott was included in Thomas Tuchel’s England side in November for the first time, and he’ll be hoping his impressive performances recently have done enough to keep his spot ahead of the summer.

Reports in Brazil suggest January signing Rayan is being looked at for the national team and may be involved this month.

Amine Adli missed out on Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations squad having featured in their qualifying campaign and in World Cup qualification, so he’ll be optimistic that his performances in a Cherries shirt can earn him a call up.

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Adrien Truffert has been hugely impressive in his first season in the Premier League, while Junior Kroupi has also been very good, although both face tough tasks to reach the France squad.

Alex Jimenez has been excellent at right back and he’ll be hoping he can force his way into the Spanish senior side, while fellow defender James Hill could be in with an outside chance of an England call up as he impresses.

Boss Andoni Iraola knows that for many of his players, the World Cup is a big objective for the season, but he said he tries not to speak to them about it.

“I know for a lot of them it's very important and a lot of their performances are almost looking forward to that competition,” he told the Daily Echo.

“But I think they have to do their best for us, for Bournemouth.

Scotland's Andrew Robertson and Ryan Christie celebrate with team mates after their sides fourth (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

“I agree that there are some players that haven't still received a call for the national teams, senior national teams, that I think you said some of the names.

“Adrien, for me, is playing very well. It's true that to play for France is expensive.

“Alex Jimenez, Rayan, players that normally don't go because they are very young or because they haven't gone before.

“I think Alex Scott was called last time, he didn't play, but I think there are some players that they are not the kind of established ones that they know they are going to be there if they are healthy, that they could have a surprise, I think, because they are playing very well.

“It's true that I think all of them are very, very good national teams, so it's very expensive to play on those teams, but I think they are giving good performances and giving themselves a chance.”

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Asked if he ever has conversations with national team head coaches about his players, Iraola said: “No, normally we don't speak.

“I think a lot of times, especially the doctors, the sports scientists speak a lot because they want to share their trainings, the load, and this, if they have any issue in games.

“Sometimes I see some of them in some games. The other day I saw Ruud van Nistelrooy.

“He was there in the box, the director’s box, because he was watching for the Netherlands national team.

“Sometimes I watch the Spain Under-21 coach here watching a game, and sometimes we kind of are in the same place and you chat, but no, there is no normally relationships.”