Eddie Howe, a highly respected coach by fans and players alike, gave insightful and candid views in a recent interview on the future of the team's core player Anthony Gordon, plans for the return of players after international duty, and the challenges the club faces as a result of complying with the PSR (Profit Sustainability Rule).
First of all, about Gordon's future, Eddie Howe expressed strong support and confidence. He bluntly said that if possible, he would use "three arms" to welcome Gordon's return, which graphically shows his recognition and importance of Gordon's value. Eddie Howe emphasized that Gordon is an indispensable part of the team, his performance and contribution is irreplaceable. In the face of all the speculation and questions about Gordon's future, Eddie Howe stood firmly on Gordon's side, believing that he didn't need to make any guarantees about the future because his performance on the court had already said it all. He encourages fans to judge Gordon by his actual performance on the court, rather than being swayed by outside gossip.
Secondly, regarding the return of players who have participated in international tournaments such as the America's Cup and Europa League, Eddie Howe has shown his thoughtfulness and humanistic concern as a coach. He is well aware that these players are under tremendous pressure both physically and mentally after a long and stressful season and then non-stop commitment to international tournaments. Therefore, he emphasized that it was crucial to allow these players sufficient time to rest and recover. He is concerned that recalling these exhausted players too early may have a negative impact on their health and performance in the new season. Therefore, he needs to find a delicate balance between the players' rest time and the team's match demands.
Finally, Eddie Howe also spoke about the challenges the club faced as a result of complying with the PSR rules. He confessed that the last few weeks of June were very tough for the club as the PSR rules forced them to make some decisions they did not want to make - selling promising young players including Yankuba Minter and Elliot Anderson. He expressed his regret and dismay at the departure of these players as they were both important building blocks for the future of the club. However, the club had to bear the pain in order to comply with the rules and avoid more serious consequences such as the deduction of points. He wished the departing players all the best in their new clubs and hoped that they would continue to show their talent and potential.
