Michael Owen says former Liverpool striker and current Bournemouth star Dominic Solanke ‘hasn’t turned into the player many hoped’.
On Saturday, Solanke came up against his former club when Bournemouth beat the Reds 1-0 in the Premier League, less than a week after Jurgen Klopp’s men had thrashed Manchester United 7-0.
Whilst Solanke couldn’t get on the scoresheet, he still enjoyed a memorable victory in his quest to keep the Cherries in England’s top flight.
Back in 2019, after only 27 appearances for Liverpool and one goal, the club sold the then-21-year-old to Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth for £19 million (BBC Sport).
At the time, it raised eyebrows because Solanke only had four Premier League goals to his name and those doubts were proven right as he struggled before getting relegated with the club.
During these past few seasons, which has seen Solanke thrive in the Championship and earn promotion, he has started to prove his worth, but former England striker Michael Owen clearly doesn’t think it’s enough, as he told Premier League Productions (11/03/23 at 11:40 am).
“Conceding has always been Bournemouth’s problem,” said Owen. “Now they look a little bit more defensive (compared to when Eddie Howe was in charge). But they don’t score as many.
“Solanke was always thought of as a good young player coming up. But he’s not that young player anymore.
“He’s probably not turned into the player that many hoped.”
SOLANKE HAS PLENTY OF TIME TO PROVE HIS WORTH
At 25, this is the time for Solanke to tune things up and prove that he is Premier League-worthy.
The Englishman’s problem is that he is playing with a squad of players that, in comparison to the rest of the Premier League, is deemed to be bottom of the pile.
If Bournemouth go down, then it will be interesting to see if other clubs push for Solanke’s signature because he has now proven that he is too good for the Championship.
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