Howe on transfers, Saudi ambition, Bruno's future & "issues" to solve after 2023/24 season
Eddie Howe believes our 4-2 win at Brentford was a game that "summed up our season" and has looked ahead to a vital summer for the club.
He admits a "lot of work" has gone into the upcoming window and hopes to "improve the squad", insisting that our Saudi-backed are determined to invest ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The boss also made his stance on Bruno Guimaraes clear, revealing the club are "desperate to keep him" after his man of the match display in West London ended with a wave to fans in the away end.
Howe also discussed Anthony Gordon's absence and Fabian Schar's hamstring tightness (both players are absent from the 29-man squad who left for Australia last night) and admitted "we have issues to solve defensively" when reflecting on this season and what we must improve ahead of 2024/25. Read his quotes in full below:
Howe on summer plans and owners ambition - “My thoughts on the transfer window have been there probably since January or February. A lot of work has gone into the summer window. We’re trying to be clever and trying to be smart. We can’t even predict what we’re going to do but the endeavour will be there to improve the squad.
“I don’t think it quite works like that these days (in terms of a budget). The whole way of trading players has changed. It’s a case of being smart, reacting to what happens and reacting by adding the right characters to the squad.
“The support and determination is there from the owners (to invest) but the rules mean restrictions are placed on us in the market.”
Howe on Bruno Guimaraes' post-match wave - “I don’t think it’s a wave goodbye. I think Bruno probably does that many times but it can be interpreted in a way if the people watching decide that to be the case. Certainly from my side, I hope it’s not. He is integral to what we’re doing, an inspirational player and we’re desperate to keep him.”
Howe on the 4-2 win at Brentford - “It summed up our season. We weren’t totally secure at the back but great credit to the players. They have done their job – now we wait and see.
“We anticipated after losing against Manchester United that our control of the [European] situation had gone. It’s never a nice situation but whatever happens, happens.
“We have issues to solve defensively. If we can do that, next season could be another season of really strong performances. This was a season that could have been better, but a good season overall. We are a really United club. I think we are still moving forward, so there’s a lot to be positive about.”
Howe on Anthony Gordon and Fabian Schar - “Anthony won’t be going to Australia. He had a scan very soon after the Manchester United game – we don’t think it’s a serious injury, but it’s enough to keep him out of today and Australia.
“I believe everyone who is here today will travel. Unless there are any late twists or turns, I believe it’ll be everyone who is here today, and that is every fit player at the club. I think he (Schar) was feeling his hamstring again at the end but I don’t think it’s too bad.”
As it turns out, Schar and Longstaff have not traveled with the squad to Australia, with Dubravka also absent along with Gordon, Livramento and Tonali.
