In making a prediction and expressing hope for the new Elland Road hire, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has heaped praise on both Leeds United and their new loanee winger Jaidon Anthony.
As part of the agreement that saw Luis Sinisterra leave for the Cherries, also on a season-long loan, Anthony started three of Bournemouth’s opening four games of the season. Anthony is presently settling into a season-long loan at Leeds. The Daily Echo has reported that Anthony was at the Bournemouth squad hotel and getting ready for Saturday’s game at Brentford while the deal for Sinisterra was being finalized by the Cherries.
Iraola has acknowledged that he believed the inclusion of Sinisterra would make his team stronger overall, but that Anthony ultimately had the last say in whether or not to go out on loan. However, Iraola has offered a glowing reference to the new winger settling in at Elland Road – and the club he is now poised to play for. The switch was formally revealed at midnight on transfer deadline day.
Iraola, as reported by the Daily Echo, remarked that “it is a decision he had to make.” “Jaidon, I adore him as a person and as a player. I tried to help him as much as I could.
He has started three of the four games in which he has played with me. In the preseason, he excelled. However, he was forced to make a choice because there are many possibilities available to us. He eventually made a choice, and I wish him luck because he deserves it. I’m sure he’ll do well there in Leeds, and I hope he comes back the next year an even better player.
Iraola spoke candidly about his conversations with the winger, saying: “I tried to be as honest as I could because he deserves it. If he were to remain here, I would have no issues at all. You can see that he has started because he has played with me. He is a trustworthy player. If you tell him to do anything, he will either try to do it or do it. Like everyone else, he will err, but he is a very trustworthy player.
He had to make the choice while being aware of the players for whom he would be advocating. His choice of a top-notch squad was also, in my opinion, a tremendously solid one. He made the decision to go that way. Since it’s a loan, I hope he returns to us; I have no doubt that he will be a stronger player. He’s a top-notch man as a person. I believed he deserved as much candor as I was able to provide. I made an effort to assist him, but he had the last say.
Anthony started 38 of his team’s 46 league games during the 2021–22 season, contributing eight goals and six assists to Bournemouth’s promotion as runners-up in the Championship. In seven further instances, the winger was substituted in off the bench.
After playing a significant part in Bournemouth’s promotion, Anthony went on to make 30 Premier League appearances last season, starting 11 of them, scoring three goals and providing one assist in the process.
Iraola gave the following justification for the choice to pounce on Sinisterra and make Anthony available for loan: “It is a situation that transpired on the last day of the window. The team believed that by bringing in a player of Luis Sinisterra, we may become stronger.
“He was watching the game on Saturday (against Brentford). We won’t have him for the next 10 to 12 days because he is now traveling with the national team. But beginning from wide, we also have a player who can make a difference. For us, it is a useful addition.
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