December A smart month for American midfielder Tyler Adams. The 25-year-old is back in line for a big splash at Premier League side AFC Bournemouth after missing out on American head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s first-team call-ups in October and November.
Sunday, however, was the undisputed highlight.
Advertisement
Bournemouth’s 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford provided yet more proof that Andoni Iraola’s team is one to be reckoned with. Having already played his way back into his club’s central midfield rotation, Adams’ outing showed he’s again approaching the sort of standard and consistency that he, and supporters of the national team, would like.
Back-to-back 90-minute performances opposed to Wolverhampton (30 November) and Tottenham (5 December) were positive signs that the injury-prone Adams were on the right path to recovery. his summer movement. A persistent complaint, coupled with lingering hamstring issues, has kept Adams from distancing himself from the ongoing talk about his health.
His destiny of a season with Leeds United (2022-2023) began well but ended with disappointment, Adams made 24 appearances in the Premier League before the end of the hamstrings. Even at his age, the transfer to Bournemouth is a bit fanfare. It seemed a last transfer of possibilities, a last chance to prove that it can be a reliable player at the world’s most productive festival.
To do so, he’d have to lower his expectations. Switching to Bournemouth removed Adams from the frenzy and bright lights that surround Leeds. It has worked out well, with the triumph over United leaving the club sitting in fifth and providing the latest installment to a five-game unbeaten streak. Even better, Adams was at the heart of everything.
Now, for an away team to win at Old Trafford is no surprise in 2024. Arguably one of the most sacred football grounds in the world, the home of Manchester United is a shadow of its former self. The Theater of Dreams no longer intimidates its opponents. Although the club’s identity crisis continues, the Red Devils are an easy target for criticism. Adams played 89 minutes on Sunday and, although he wasn’t perfect, the former RB Leipzig player had an effect on Iraola.
Advertisement
This did not do the UEFA Champions League of Ronaldo Nazario in Old Trafford in 2003. Later. Adams did not obtain a status ovation after being released in the 89th minute, but Bournemouth supporters appreciated the effort of their American international.
Just 14 seconds after starting the game, Adams sent an early message when his attack on the United Joshua Zirkzee striker left the Dutchman twisting with pain. Adams still plays football hard. The confrontation with Zirkzee is a play that defines its competitive style. Adams is like the physical appearance of sport. That gives him an advantage, but it is probably something in his history of prolonged injury.
Now we are at a point where you almost expect to see Adams Muecholla of pain in the middle of the game or rub the hamstrings. The beginning of Sunday was his eighth in 2024. It is not exaggerated to recommend that Pochettino have to be extremely cheerful with his player’s progress.
As shown in the graph below, Adams traveled a ton of land that day. He played two-touch football safely when in possession, completing with a single progressive run and 3 involvement in Bournemouth’s offensive sequences. Adams is a component of Bournemouth’s protective layer in the midboxer centre. Iraola’s backs are flying over the box and his players are used to setting up with a defensive top line. This facilitates the team’s counter-priming strategy, but also makes it vulnerable to counterattacks. In this sense, Adams’ notoriety in Manchester Strong.
He had many daily tasks in the midfield and was well placed in the game. Adams followed United’s playmaker Bruno Fernandes throughout the match. He was also attentive to the flexible Mainoo Kobbie. Fernandes had his moments with the ball, but in general Adams made the Portuguese foreigner uncomfortable. If Fernandes moved down United’s left flank, Adams was there to greet him.
Advert
In a time of time, Fernandes, Mainoo and the defender of United, Diogo Dalot, tried to overload the right area of the Bournemouth. adams reacted temporarily and led Fernandes to recognize his ideas. When Alejandro Garnacho replaced United, Adams bit his heels and forced the young Argentina to play up. For whom she played in moderation, the power of permanence and the power of permanence of Adams were notable.
However, he is not flawless. With time in midfield in the first half, Adams replaced the Bournemouth players who left Milos Kerkeez behind. It was the right call, but Adams’ pass went wild and Kerkez had trouble settling the ball. This has caused a rotation. Adams then stayed on top of the ball after Bournemouth won a loose kick in the midfield half-space. His quick intervention into the box by Bournemouth central attacker Evanilson went out of bounds.
Shortly after Bournemouth had taken the lead in the 29th minute from a set piece on United’s left flank, the visitors had another opportunity in the same part of the pitch. Instead of whipping the ball into the box, the ball was played short to Adams at the top of United’s penalty area. Unsure of what to do there, Adams played a poor ball that barely got off the ground. It was easily dealt with by United.
Adams is not a master of the midfield. He deserves not to appear in his team’s post-match offensive analysis. Adams is a running back whose most productive strengths are shown when he doesn’t touch the ball. Against United, Adams understood his project and executed it very well. Nor was it one-dimensional. He did not have progressive passes, but Adams was key to Bournemouth’s preparation in defence.
It is said that Adams moves to the right appearance and is a complete support in the construction system of three Bournemouth men, a position with which it is convenience after the game for the USMNT under Greg Berhalter and also its time in Leipzig. For Adams, Sunday’s functionality was a great step towards the expansion of game time. If you can remain healthy in the New Year, Adams will be a vital component of what fits a dream season for Bournemouth.
This bodes well for the customers of their national team under Pochettino. Adams’ skill set is ideal for the competitive flavor Pochettino uses. A return to form for Adams will be celebrated in 2025, especially as Team USA struggles with its own injury issues. Adams wasn’t impressive at Old Trafford, but he didn’t want to be. He was solid, and after a season on the sidelines, that’s significant progress.
(Top photo: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)