Adrian Clarke looks at summer signings and what impact they will have at their new clubs.
Player analysis: Justin Kluivert (BOU)
Andoni Iraola’s first signing as AFC Bournemouth’s head coach has the pace and energy that will typify the Cherries’ approach under his leadership this season.
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Iraola demands that his teams play at a very high intensity, with and without the ball, and Kluivert is likely to fit well with that philosophy.
Kluivert is at his best cutting inside as a left-sided forward, but the 24-year-old’s speed and directness can also be utilised on the right, or down the middle as a support striker.
He is not a prolific goalscorer, but Kluivert did show signs while on loan at Valencia last season that his goalscoring potential is on the rise.
Kluivert finished with six goals in LaLiga, averaging one every 241 minutes.
This was the Dutchman's best return since 2017/18 at Ajax, when he scored 10 times and averaged one goal every 233 minutes.
When you analyse the number of shots Kluivert had, his Expected Goals (xG) and actual goals return, it is clear that in 2022/23 he carried an improved goal threat.
Kluivert's stats per 90 last five seasons
| Season | Club | Shots | xG | Goals |
| 2018/19 | Roma | 1.41 | 0.09 | 0.07 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | Roma | 2.02 | 0.15 | 0.24 |
| 2020/21 | RB Leipzig | 1.99 | 0.40 | 0.33 |
| 2021/22 | Nice | 1.45 | 0.14 | 0.19 |
| 2022/23 | Valencia | 2.67 | 0.41 | 0.37 |
The majority of Kluivert’s goals last season stemmed from shots inside the box.
He is adept at converting cutbacks on the run or sprinting off the shoulder of the last defender to score from 1v1s.
However, he also likes to try his luck from distance and when driving forward with the ball, if there is no obvious pass to make, Kluivert will not hesitate to have an attempt on goal.
Over the course of the past five seasons, the stats website Fbref has Kluivert’s average shot distance at 18.68 yards from goal.
Interestingly, Bournemouth had the fewest number of shots from 18+ yards last season, with only 100, so in this regard he adds something different.
Kluivert's average shot distance
| Season | Club | Ave. shot distance (yards) |
| 2018/19 | Roma | 18.3 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | Roma | 21.9 |
| 2020/21 | RB Leipzig | 16.5 |
| 2021/22 | Nice | 18.6 |
| 2022/23 | Valencia | 18.1 |
When he flies down the wing or skips inside, one of Kluivert’s strongest qualities is his ability to run with the ball.
He only featured in 1,451 minutes last season, but made 27 chances from individual ball carries - with 17 of those opportunities ending with a shot.
While it is difficult to gauge those numbers with Bournemouth players from 2022/23, a straightforward comparison shows they would benefit from another strong dribbler who can deliver productivity inside the final third.
Kluivert's ball-carrying stats 22/23
| Mins played | Chance-creating ball carries | |
| Kluivert | 1,451 | 27 |
|---|---|---|
| Solanke | 2,868 | 25 |
| Tavernier | 1,749 | 20 |
| Anthony | 1,246 | 18 |
When he left Ajax for Roma in the summer of 2018, Kluivert was regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting prospects.
The son of the legendary Dutch striker Patrick, he has shone in spells but ultimately failed to realise his full potential.
In Italy, as well as during loan spells with RB Leipzig, Nice and Valencia, Kluivert never reached double figures for direct goal involvements in a season.
He will look to put that right in 2023/24, but what he can also offer Bournemouth is the benefit of great experience.
Still only 24, Kluivert has played in all five of Europe's top leagues under a string of brilliant head coaches.
Peter Bosz, Erik ten Hag, Claudio Ranieri, Paulo Fonseca, Julian Nagelsmann, Christophe Galtier and Gennaro Gattuso have all coached Kluivert at club level.
Meanwhile, his two senior international caps were earned under the guidance of Ronald Koeman.
If Kluivert can use that vast experience, along with his natural talent, he could prove to be a very astute addition.
