Andoni Iraola, manager of Bournemouth, has praised both Leeds United and their new loanee winger Jaidon Anthony, making a prediction and expressing hope for the new Elland Road recruit.
Anthony played three of Bournemouth’s first four games of the season, but he is now on a season-long loan at Leeds as part of the deal that also saw Luis Sinisterra go for the Cherries on a season-long loan. The Cherries required a contract document to complete the late transfer for Sinisterra, and the Daily Echo reports that Anthony was at the Bournemouth squad hotel preparing for Saturday’s game against Brentford while the deal advanced.
Iraola has confessed that he believed the signing of Sinisterra would make his team stronger in the long run, but that the choice to loan Anthony out ultimately rested with the player. However, the swap was officially revealed at midnight on transfer deadline day, and Iraola has spoken highly of the new winger’s arrival at Elland Road – and the club for which he is now poised to play.
“It was a decision he had to make,” Iraola told the Daily Echo. “I tried to help him as much as I could because I adore Jaidon as a person and a player.”
“He has started three of the four games he has been with me.” He performed admirably during the preseason. But he had to make a choice because there are so many possibilities out there. It is the decision he has finally made, and I wish him all the best because he deserves it. I’m sure he’ll do well in Leeds, and I hope he’ll be even better as a player next season.”
“I tried to be as honest as I could, because he deserves it,” Iraola said of his chats with the winger. I had no objections if he stayed here, none at all. And you can see that he has begun because he has played with me. He’s a dependable player. If you tell him to do anything, he will either do it or try to do it. He, like everyone else, will make mistakes, but he is a very dependable performer.
“He had to make the decision knowing who he would be fighting for in his position.” I think the option he had was also incredibly nice, to a very talented club. He made the decision to go that route. It’s a loan, so I’m sure he’ll be back with us, like a better player. He is a top-notch individual. I believe he deserved all the candor I could muster. I tried to assist him, but he made the final decision.”
Anthony scored eight goals and provided six assists to help Bournemouth win promotion as Championship runners-up in the 2021-22 season, starting 38 of his team’s 46 league games. In seven other games, the winger came off the bench.
After playing a key role in Bournemouth’s promotion, Anthony went on to make 30 Premier League appearances last season, starting 11 of them and scoring his first three goals in the country’s top flight, as well as providing his first assist.
Iraola explained the decision to go for Sinisterra and make Anthony available for loan: “It is a situation that occurred on the last day of the window.” The club believed that by adding a player like Luis Sinisterra, we could become stronger.
“He was at Brentford on Saturday, watching the game.” He is now traveling with the national team, therefore we will be without him for the next 10 to 12 days. But it is another player, beginning from wide, who can make the difference. It is a welcome addition to our team.”
