Eddie Howe must build the Bournemouth team around Nathan Aké

At the end of my side AFC Bournemouth’s 1-0 win over Swansea City this Saturday there was the usual lap of honour by the players. But before this there was also a brief presentation of various awards being bestowed to players.

Well, I say “players.” In actuality every single award – from supporters to Junior Cherries player of the season – was won by Nathan Aké.

To say the Dutch centre back has been a revelation for us this campaign would be an understatement. He’s been superb. And, quite simply, we need to build the team around him moving forward.

Nathan Aké breaky heart

For a team that has such a leaky defence – we’ve conceded over sixty goals for a third Premier League season running – we’ve been hugely indebted for Aké holding us together at times.

Yes, occasionally the task of inspiring his misfiring colleagues has proved to be too titanic a task for even him – but even in defeats he’s been a shining light.

In fact at times it feels like he doesn’t belong in our team he’s so good. He’s the best player I’ve ever seen in an AFC Bournemouth shirt. And yes, that’s intended as a massive compliment.

READ MORE: Bournemouth leave Swansea teetering after Ryan Fraser seals victory

AS IT HAPPENED: AFC Bournemouth vs Swansea

Award hog

Seeing Aké nestled amongst his many awards at the end on Saturday proved all this and more, but also demonstrates that we must do everything in our power to keep him at the club for as long as possible.

To do this we need to give him more support – primarily by addressing our creaking back-line. Players such as Simon Francis and Charlie Daniels are all but done at the top level of football, despite their great services to the club in the past.

Although it was great to see Tyrone Mings back in action on Saturday, it’s not clear whether he’ll be the long-term answer at the back either. The same applies for youngster Jack Simpson.

So it’s down to Howe to invest in this part of the squad. With a tighter defence this season we could have perhaps got closer to Burnley for seventh place. Instead of flopping around in lower mid-table and never really getting going all season.

Cook-ing something up

But it’s not just the back that needs strengthening. Our midfield needs reinforcements desperately, especially if Howe wants to play the 3-4-3 formation that seems to suit us best.

Lewis Cook needs more support in the middle if he’s to really to express himself properly for instance. You could see on Saturday that he was occasionally concerned about pushing too far forward in case we were caught out defensively.

So yes, Eddie Howe deserves great praise for keeping us up for a third straight season at football’s top table. But I think he knows better than anyone that we need to re-haul multiple aspects of the squad this summer.

Otherwise we risk being plunged into a relegation battle – and risk losing our best players as a result. Such as the quite wonderful Nathan Aké.

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