BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Ryan Fraser of Bournemouth and Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on December 8, 2018 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Ryan Fraser is becoming the ultimate playmaker for Bournemouth
The Scotland international has been a huge part of Bournemouth’s success this year, tallying seven assists and four goals in 17 appearances.
It’s hard to think a player who is 5 foot 3 could really succeed at one of the top tiers of professional football in the world. That is the case right now for Bournemouth playmaker Ryan Fraser. He is enjoying a breakout season with the Cherries as they sit in 11th spot in the Premier League table.
Last season in 26 appearances, Fraser had just five goals and three assists. This year, he’s already surpassed his assist total through just 17 games, tallying seven assists. He’s also just one goal shy of his total from last season with four. Fraser has created 15 big chances this season as well to just three from all of last year’s campaign.
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Fraser has been electric on the left flank for the Cherries this season, creating havoc with his tremendous pace in the final third. Along with Callum Wilson, these two have been a vital piece of Bournemouth this season.
Wilson and Fraser combo
Wilson is enjoying a tremendous season as well for the Cherries, netting eight times and tallying five assists. Between the two, they have been involved in 24 of Bournemouth’s 25 goals. They have basically been their only source of offence this season.
Wilson and Fraser do a wonderful job of finding each other on the attack. They are both very selfless players who bring different attributes to this squad. Wilson is a pure goal-scorer with size and strength but also has a unique skillset for picking out a teammate with through balls which is an added positive for a striker to have.
Ryan Fraser is an extremely small player unlike Wilson, but his low centre of gravity allows him to manoeuvre amongst oppositions and use his speed to fly down the flanks. He plays with the ultimate intensity all the time and has become an outstanding playmaker for Eddie Howe’s squad.
He has assisted almost all of Wilson’s eight goals this season. Fraser is ruthless when it comes to finishing as well with his lethal right foot and rarely misses an opportunity to find the back of the net.
Ryan Fraser sits atop the assist leaders in the Premier League with the likes of players like Eden Hazard, Leroy Sane, and Christian Eriksen. He is just two assists behind Hazard for first in the EPL.
Ryan Fraser has really blossomed this year into a wonderful player. In past seasons he has shown a lot of promise, but this season it really looks like it is rapidly coming together for the Scot. At just 24-years old, Fraser hasn’t even hit his prime yet. His best football is yet to come as he will look to lead Bournemouth to a top ten finish this season alongside leading goal-scorer Callum Wilson as the 2018/19 campaign progresses.
