Justin Kluivert is enjoying a rich vein of form at the moment for AFC Bournemouth.
The 25-year-old striker, who is the son of former Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert, scored a hat-trick against Newcastle United the week prior to scoring again in Bournemouth’s 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest on January 25.
Kluivert now has scored 12 goals in 24 matches for his club this season.
He scored nine goals last season, which means that there has been a marked improvement in his performance this season.
Kluivert should already be on the radar of some bigger clubs for any probable transfer next summer.
Justin Kluivert is one of the Best Young Strikers in the Premier League
Aside from the likes of Erling Haaland, Bryan Mbeumo and Alexander Isak, both of whom – Isak and Mbuemo – have been scoring goals for fun this season, there is hardly a better striker than Kluivert in the Premier League at the moment.
He is not very tall but is very fast in his movement and has a lot of opportunism.
He has a tendency to veer towards the left flank at times and then cut into the opposition penalty box and then take shots at the goal from the edge of the box.
His speed makes him a very difficult player to mark, which means that Bournemouth’s opponents are almost always wary of his presence.
Bournemouth have been one of the success stories this season. With 40 points from 23 matches in the league, they are now in the seventh position in the table.
In fact, Bournemouth are level with sixth-placed Chelsea in terms of points earned but are behind on goal difference.
Hence, the Cherries can realistically have hopes to ensure participation in European football next season.
It will be a wonderful achievement for them should they manage to get to it.
Kluivert is arguably their most important player and has to continue in the same manner to ensure his side’s participation in European competitions next season.
The young man’s form is also important for his own sake. He might make a switch to a bigger club next season if he manages to finish the season with 25 goals or thereabouts.
Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth’s Spanish manager, is also one of the most exciting ones in English football at the moment and might make a move to a bigger club next season himself.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Who Needs Neymar? Why Chicago Fire Are Still Poised for a Big 2025
Big Matches Coming Up for Bournemouth
The Cherries cannot afford to be complacent at the moment. They have a couple of big and crucial matches coming up.
First, they will face table-toppers Liverpool next weekend in the Premier League and then will take on Everton in the fourth round of the FA Cup the following weekend.
Both of those matches will present Kluivert with more opportunities to hog the limelight by scoring more goals.
Both Liverpool and Everton will certainly give special attention to the Dutchman, given the latter’s form.
It remains to be seen whether the young striker can make the most of the opportunities coming his way. The odds are in favour of his doing so.
Credit: IMAGO / Focus Images
Recording Date: 24.01.2025