Is this Cherries defender the reason for their stability at the back?

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It is fair to say that Simon Francis did not join AFC Bournemouth with a glowing reputation. After a section of Charlton Athletic fans had labelled him the worst player ever to represent their club, there was a degree of scepticism as to whether he would make the grade.

Cherries supporters needn’t have worried, though. It didn’t take long for Francis to banish the doubters and become a mainstay of the side. He missed only four league games during the club’s two seasons in the second tier – he was named in the 2014/15 PFA Championship Team of the Year – and has been ever-present in the Premier League. Not only that, he has flourished since trading in his customary spot at right-back for a place in the heart of defence.

Initially, the switch was borne out of necessity. Injuries to skipper Tommy Elphick and Steve Cook had left manager Eddie Howe facing a crisis, with just two recognised centre-backs at the club. Howe felt it was too risky to throw untried youngster Baily Cargill into the cauldron of a Premier League contest, so instead paired Francis with experienced campaigner Sylvain Distin for the visit to Southampton. Although that match ended in a disappointing 2-0 defeat for the Cherries, Francis had shown promise with a composed performance. What at the time was considered to be an emergency measure has since become a permanent solution. Francis has continued to impress – latterly alongside Cook – and was even being tipped for an England call-up ahead of the upcoming international friendlies.

It is testament to the high standard of Francis’ displays that he is managing to keep the fit-again Elphick out of the starting XI. Frustrating though it must be for Elphick not to be playing, the statistics are indisputable. Bournemouth’s new-found defensive stability has been the main reason why results have taken a significant upturn, for which Francis deserves huge credit. He and Cook have formed an effective partnership and complement each other well. Neither player is particularly vocal on the pitch, but they lead by example through their actions. The duo have kept six clean sheets together and steadied a ship that was in danger of sinking.

In previous seasons, Francis was well-known for his lung-busting runs up and down the right flank. Although ostensibly in the side to defend, he was a real attacking threat and a regular source of goals. Now 31 years of age and playing at the highest level, he has had to adapt to his new surroundings. In this regard, a switch to the centre of defence has been beneficial. He is quick enough not to be outpaced by strikers and now can conserve energy by surveying the scene from the middle of the park. Francis is seldom caught out of position and reads the game intelligently. The way he has dealt with heavyweight centre-forwards like Romelu Lukaku and Odion Ighalo has earned him a legion of admirers.

In January, Francis was rewarded with a contract extension that ties him to Bournemouth until 2019. From his and the club’s perspective, an improved deal was a no-brainer. Francis is settled on the south coast, where he has been able to fulfil his dream of playing Premier League football. Such a scenario seemed unimaginable when he joined permanently from Charlton four years ago. Like countless others in the squad, Francis was purchased for a nominal fee and has proved to be an absolute bargain. That relatively unknown right-back is now a veteran of more than 200 appearances and is a club stalwart. In Elphick’s absence, he has made the captaincy his own. Style and substance; Francis has it all.

Featured image: all rights reserved by Chris Parker.