Dominic Solanke’s rise through the Chelsea youth ranks was swift, impressive and accompanied by a shedload of goals.
He was the next big thing, a superstar in all-but-deeds. He was the default striker in articles that predicted England’s World Cup team a decade in the future.
So lofty were the expectations that Jose Mourinho claimed he would consider it a personal failure if Solanke didn’t get full international recognition under his managerial watch. The 17-year-old had yet to make his Chelsea debut at that point.
In due course a loan spell at Vitesse in Holland was arranged and this made sense, affording the youngster some first-team football.
The forward did well in the Eredivisie, scoring seven goals in 25 appearances but on his return he found his pathway to a starting role still blocked by Diego Costa and Michy Batshuayi.
Believing he had shown sufficient patience, and with his 20th birthday on the horizon a decision was made to run his contract down. The player Mourinho insisted was an England cert never got to make his Chelsea debut.
Liverpool swooped on what was essentially a sure thing. A matter of weeks prior to his transfer north, Solanke had fired England U-20s to World Cup success, securing the Golden Ball in the process.
Factor in too his welter of goals at youth level and the Reds had signed one of the most promising prospects in English football on a free.
But again we encounter a similar tale, the player kicking his heels as more established talents hogged all the limelight.
In this instance, Roberto Firmino stood in his way, with Danny Ings as back-up, as an emerging Liverpool justified their Premier League top four odds and attained a Champions League place.
In 18 months at Anfield, Solanke made just five starts, finding himself at best acquainted with the bench.
And so to Bournemouth, in January, 2019, for a fee of £19m. A succession of substitute outings followed as the South Coast club bedded him in but that thankfully changed the next season as manager Eddie Howe began to show greater faith in him.
Sadly, it was no longer a lack of opportunities that was a problem, but a lack of goals. The very thing that defined him. As the Cherries meekly slipped out of the top-flight, Solanke fired blanks until their season was almost done.
Fast forward to the here and now though and finally, it is a prophesized story fulfilled.
Only Mo Salah and Erling Haaland have outscored the 26-year-old in 2023/24, his 12 to date ensuring Bournemouth are rank outsiders in the betting to drop.
Solanke has become a pivotal component of Iraola-ball, a style of play under their Spanish coach that has re-energized the Vitality Stadium.
Last month, his six strikes led to him being named the Premier League Player of the Month. In doing so, he became the first Bournemouth player to ever win the award.
Rumours of serious interest from Newcastle United abound but for now let’s just appreciate a tale that not very often has such a rewarding twist.
Because we are all-too-familiar with young players being hyped to kingdom come only to sink without trace. How sweet it is when they eventually come good.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
