Tyler Adams has hailed manager Andoni Iraola for simplifying his game as he looks to get his season back on track with Bournemouth.
The USA international emerged as a summer transfer target for Manchester United with his form early in this campaign only for him to damage his medial cruciate ligament, ironically at Old Trafford, blocking a shot from Matheus Cunha.
Bournemouth feared the injury would rule their midfield lynchpin out for three months, but he has come back after eight weeks and made his first start against West Ham last weekend.
He’s hoping to figure again tonight against Brentford as he looks to rekindle the form that has caught the eye of United and rivals Liverpool.
Key to that form, however, has been Iraola’s advice. Coming from the perspective of a coach that similarly played the number six role.
‘There’s a lot of things I can take away from him being the manager here. He’s helped me a lot tactically but the single most important lesson I can take away from Andoni’s coaching is simplicity, says Adams.
In-demand Bournemouth star Tyler Adams has praised manager Andoni Iraola’s influence
Adams revealed Iraola has helped him to simplify his game and take him to a different level
‘He is a manager that sets up his team to be the most efficient and that includes how my role can be the most efficient – at both ends of the pitch. He has helped me simplify my role to a different level.
‘I’m not trying over-complicate things. I’m trying to find myself in the right areas of the pitch. That’s a lot to how he sees the game particularly because he played at six and at right-back, so he understands that role in the middle of the park and how important it is. So the simplicity of how he sees the game will be the biggest lesson of my experience with him.’
Like his coach, Adams will be in demand this summer.
He has become one of the best performing central midfielders in the Premier League over recent seasons. His statistics back that up and subsequently he is under genuine consideration as the likes of United, Liverpool and Chelsea formulate their transfer plans for June.
Valued around £40million, Adams, who turned 27 last month, will also be under the spotlight as he plays a pivotal role for Mauricio Pochettino’s USA at the World Cup.
‘I think I’ve proved to…