Eleven years ago, AFC Bournemouth endured one of the darkest phases of its history. The club was slapped with a 17-point deduction even before it began its League Two campaign because it entered administration - the side was declared insolvent for the second time in as many years.
Enter Eddie Howe. A product of Bournemouth youth academy, he took over as coach and miraculously steered the side to promotion to League One. In the decade that has followed, The Cherries have battled their way out of League One and the Championship are now preparing for their fifth successive Premier League campaign.
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Finishing 14th last season, 11 points clear of relegation, Howe's side put up a rousing display and its 4-0 rout of Chelsea was the undoubted highlight. Banking on stellar performances from Joshua King and Callum Wilson, Bournemouth netted a striking 56 goals. No other team outside the top-six could better that figure.
And close to 50 percent of the team's goals came off the boots of two men - King and Wilson. With an almost telepathic connection, the two struck 26 goals between them, and led the team's exploits up front. Some key contributions from Ryan Fraser and David Brooks ensured the attack continued to fire on all cylinders.
However, the side's defence failed to complement its mighty attack. The backline endured a troublesome campaign - it conceded a mammoth 70 goals. Only Huddersfield Town and Fulham, which have both now been relegated, conceded more.
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While Nathan Ake remained a rock in defence, injuries to fellow defenders had the side struggling to cope. The signing of 20-year-old Lloyd Kelly will bolster the side's defence. Standing tall at 6ft 3 inches, the towering left-back will look to shine in his debut Premier League season.
- Player to watch out for -
Callum Wilson will be The Cherries top man this season. After a remarkable season last year that saw him score 14 goals despite missing eight games, Wilson also crafted nine assists - making him the team's MVP. A now fully-fit Wilson, who went on to make his debut for the England national team last year, will be eager to give the likes of Mohamed Salah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Sergio Aguero a run for their money.
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Transfer activity
Premier League fixtures
AFC Bournemouth will begin its Premier League 2019-20 season against Sheffield United, at home, on August 10.
August
10: Bournemouth v Sheffield United
17: Aston Villa v Bournemouth
25: Bournemouth v Manchester City
31: Leicester v Bournemouth
September
15: Bournemouth v Everton
20: Southampton v Bournemouth
28: Bournemouth v West Ham
October
5: Arsenal v Bournemouth
19: Bournemouth v Norwich
26: Watford v Bournemouth
November
2: Bournemouth v Manchester United
9: Newcastle v Bournemouth
23: Bournemouth v Wolves
30: Tottenham v Bournemouth
December
4: Crystal Palace v Bournemouth
7: Bournemouth v Liverpool
14: Chelsea v Bournemouth
21: Bournemouth v Burnley
26: Bournemouth v Arsenal
28: Brighton v Bournemouth
January
1: West Ham v Bournemouth
11: Bournemouth v Watford
18: Norwich v Bournemouth
21: Bournemouth v Brighton
February
1: Bournemouth v Aston Villa
8: Sheffield United v Bournemouth
22: Burnley v Bournemouth
29: Bournemouth v Chelsea
March
7: Liverpool v Bournemouth
14: Bournemouth v Crystal Palace
21: Wolves v Bournemouth
April
4: Bournemouth v Newcastle
11: Manchester United v Bournemouth
18: Bournemouth v Tottenham
25: Bournemouth v Leicester
May
2: Manchester City v Bournemouth
9: Bournemouth v Southampton
17: Everton v Bournemouth
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