While some expected Sven Botman’s arrival to push Dan Burn out of the side as the pair are both left-footed, The Athletic have offered an insight into Eddie Howe’s thinking.
With the right-sided Fabian Schar appearing the more natural partner for our £35m man, it was believed that he would partner up with Dutchman, yet it’s believed Howe is ‘open’ to starting two left-footers in Botman and Burn.
The Athletic’s Chris Waugh insists that both Burn and Schar will be competing to start alongside the 22-year-old, with Jamaal Lascelles backed to become our fourth choice option as Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez could both be moved on.
It’ll certainly be interesting to see how we line up over pre-season, as many expect Botman to play on the right if Howe does trial two left-footers in a four-man defence over the coming month.
One thing’s for sure, we may have the tallest centre-back pairing in the Premier League if a 6ft 7′ Burn lines up alongside the 6ft 5′ Botman, while our ball-playing potential could be quite something if the Dutchman started alongside Schar; a deep-lying playmaker on his day!
One to watch over the summer, but interesting to read that Howe isn’t against using two left-footers; even if that has our new boy playing on his less favoured side.
Who’s to say that Howe plan is to play Schar in front of these two as a holding midfield player Just a thought
David Phalp(Quote)
Kell Watts is a 6’4″ LCB, no midget either
PremAndUp(Quote)
What a bizarre article.
Trippier, Botman, Burn and Targett across the back all day.
All the others are benchwarmers.
I’d expect 3 out of Schar, Fernandez, Lascelles, Clarke, Dummet and Lewis to be gone by the end of the window, either transferred or on loan.
Daveys **** mate(Quote)