Eddie Howe says Bournemouth will stick with British policy ahead of Arsenal trip
Friday 25 November 2016 13:27, UK
Eddie Howe says Bournemouth's conscious decision to keep a British core is right for them ahead of their Super Sunday clash with Arsenal.
Bournemouth have drawn comparisons with Arsene Wenger's style of play in recent weeks, with Howe admitting the Frenchman has had a huge influence on his own coaching philosophy.
However, despite revealing his coaching methods have been further inspired by trips to clubs in Spain and Italy, Howe has explained why his side are best off retaining their core group of British players within their squad, with the Cherries having fielded eight English-born players in their starting XI in the 1-0 win over Stoke last weekend.
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Wenger allowed England international Jack Wilshere to join Bournemouth on loan for the season, although the midfielder will be unavailable for this weekend's fixture, and Howe believes the Cherries' current stature makes them ideal for nurturing British talent.
"It's important in a sense that this is a conscious decision we took as a football club to not disrupt the dressing room too much, to keep a British core," Howe told Sky Sports.
"I think a lot of that is dictated by our finances, our scouting. The structures don't really fit that we can take too many chances in the foreign market, where we're uneducated on certain things that we need to be educated on before making that final call.
"So we've gone for a more British core to keep the players together for longer, to keep a young group and try and make them better through time and a lot of coaching."
Howe was linked with the England manager's job following Roy Hodgson's departure in the summer before Gareth Southgate took interim charge, but he insists he feels no obligation to field homegrown players for the benefit of the national team.
"Your priority is your club," said Howe. "You're paid here and you have to do what's right for your club, and it might not be right for everybody. But I think it fits well for where we are, in our early steps in the Premier League, to maintain that British core and youth, and to try and educate and develop that group for the benefit and long term of this club.
"But I don't think that every club's remit is the same."
Wenger became Arsenal manager when Howe was just 19, and had made only five playing appearances, and 38-year-old Howe has hailed his counterpart's progression over time.
"I think you have to evolve, you have to change," said Howe. "If you don't I think very quickly in the modern climate you get left behind. Your ideas can become dated.
"So he's definitely moulded, changed and adapted as the years have gone by, but he's still found a way to be successful and win competitions. To maintain his record in the Champions League has been hugely impressive."
Tune in to Arsenal v Bournemouth as part of a Super Sunday triple-header on Sky Sports 1 from 11.30am on Sunday.
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