Can Enes Unal Fill a Dominic Solanke-Sized Void for Bournemouth?

Dominic Solanke, despite flattering to deceive at previous ‘big-six’ Chelsea and Liverpool, has jumped ship from the Cherries, and moved east to Spurs. Given that Bournemouth acquired the 26 year old for a fee of approximately £19 million in 2019, a net profit of around £36 million (not including any hypothetical addons) and 72 goals for the club in his 5 years is nothing short of a phantasmagorical situation for the coastside club.

However, his departure leaves a glaring, talisman shaped hole in the side. It will be by no means an easy act to follow nor easy shoes to fill. Yet, it is clear to see Bournemouth’s long standing shrewdness prevail again with their contingency plan for Solanke. That so-called ‘contingency plan’ being Enes Unal, signed on loan in January, and made permanent thereafter, provides a much-needed striker option for the otherwise tactless Bournemouth.

But, I hear you ask, just signing any given striker doesn’t quantify a valid or sufficient replacement for the outgoing bagsman? And, I agree. Therefore my aim for this article is to compare, contrast and conclude how apt a replacement incumbent Unal is for outgoing Solanke. Consequently, and by extension I suppose, evaluate Bournemouth’s outlook for the season ahead.

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