Tyler Adams has hailed manager Andoni Iraola for simplifying his game as he looks to get his season back on track with Bournemouth.
The USA international emerged as a summer transfer target for Manchester United with his form early in this campaign only for him to damage his medial cruciate ligament, ironically at Old Trafford, blocking a shot from Matheus Cunha.
Bournemouth feared the injury would rule their midfield lynchpin out for three months, but he has come back after eight weeks and made his first start against West Ham last weekend.
He’s hoping to figure again tonight against Brentford as he looks to rekindle the form that has caught the eye of United and rivals Liverpool.
Key to that form, however, has been Iraola’s advice. Coming from the perspective of a coach that similarly played the number six role.
‘There’s a lot of things I can take away from him being the manager here. He’s helped me a lot tactically but the single most important lesson I can take away from Andoni’s coaching is simplicity, says Adams.
In-demand Bournemouth star Tyler Adams has praised manager Andoni Iraola’s influence
Adams revealed Iraola has helped him to simplify his game and take him to a different level
‘He is a manager that sets up his team to be the most efficient and that includes how my role can be the most efficient – at both ends of the pitch. He has helped me simplify my role to a different level.
‘I’m not trying over-complicate things. I’m trying to find myself in the right areas of the pitch. That’s a lot to how he sees the game particularly because he played at six and at right-back, so he understands that role in the middle of the park and how important it is. So the simplicity of how he sees the game will be the biggest lesson of my experience with him.’
Like his coach, Adams will be in demand this summer.
He has become one of the best performing central midfielders in the Premier League over recent seasons. His statistics back that up and subsequently he is under genuine consideration as the likes of United, Liverpool and Chelsea formulate their transfer plans for June.
Valued around £40million, Adams, who turned 27 last month, will also be under the spotlight as he plays a pivotal role for Mauricio Pochettino’s USA at the World Cup.
‘I think I’ve proved to everyone the level I can play at,’ Adams told the Men in Blazers Media Network. ‘So it’s just a matter of time before I return to that level. I have had to just trust in the process and be patient. When I’m in flow, and how I feel that’s the best way to judge how I’m playing.
Adams is hoping to get back to his best form after injuring his medial cruciate ligament at Old Trafford in December
‘I’m always my biggest critic, I always think I can play better but I have people in my circle like my dad and my mom who will definitely keep me humble, making sure I’m doing the right things. I can’t rely on my wife Sarah too much. I could have scored three own goals and she’ll say “good game” and I’ll be like “what game were you watching!?” But my dad on the other hand will always make sure I’m honest and doing the right things.
‘You can’t rely on statistics to tell you. I could have won 50 duels in a game but we lose, so what does that tell you? I’m not a huge analytic geek or nerd, I go by how I feel and how I impacted the game.’
Adams, who names United’s Bruno Fernandes as the Premier League opponent he finds most difficult to keep in check, because of his ability to ‘ruin your tactics’ and ‘go find the game’, is resisting the temptation to set goals for Bournemouth’s season despite European qualification still being in reach.
‘The table is fair right now. We are in a position where we can move up.
‘For me it’s about consistency. I need to finish the final 12 games in good form and feel good about my body. That puts me in the best position to play well at the World Cup and that for me is very important.’
