Which areas need additions? Closer look at Cherries' 2022-23 squad

In total, seven players from the first-team squad will leave the club this summer, in Gary Cahill and the six loanees who featured during the campaign.

Their departures, coupled with the returns from loan of Zeno Ibsen Rossi and Christian Saydee, leaves Cherries with 25 players currently on the books who can be considered first-team squad members.

That could be extended to 26, with discussions ongoing between Robbie Brady and the club regarding his future.

Here we take a closer look at Scott Parker's current squad after the departures, and highlight which areas need strengthening over the summer ahead of the Premier League campaign in August.

GOALKEEPERS

Mark Travers, Will Dennis

Following the exit of Freddie Woodman following his loan spell from Newcastle United, it looks almost certain Cherries will head back into the transfer market in search of a goalkeeper.

That is not uncommon ground for the club, having had to seek replacements for Artur Boruc, Asmir Begovic, Aaron Ramsdale and Orjan Nyland in the past couple of years.

How Cherries will approach the goalkeeper signing will be intriguing. Given Mark Travers has just scooped a host of awards following his stellar campaign between the sticks, Parker has a big decision to make whether to trust the Irishman with the number one spot in the Premier League and bring in a backup/competition, or seek a new first choice starter in goal.

If Dennis remains as third choice for another season will also be interesting, with the 21-year-old likely keen to get some minutes himself somewhere soon.

Cherries have offered contracts to talented goalkeeping duo Cameron Plain and Billy Terrell, who could step up to third choice should Dennis depart.

DEFENDERS

Adam Smith, Jack Stacey, Chris Mepham, Lloyd Kelly, James Hill, Zeno Ibsen Rossi, Jordan Zemura

Defence is the biggest area of Cherries' squad which has been decimated by the departures.

Parker made big moves in the transfer window to bolster the back-line last season, but Cahill, Nat Phillips, Ethan Laird and Leif Davis have all now left the club.

That leaves just seven defenders currently in the squad, two of which are inexperienced centre-back pair James Hill and Ibsen Rossi, the latter having spent the second half of the season at Dundee.

Jordan Zemura is now the only recognised left-back, although Adam Smith can fill that role.

It is set to be a busy summer in the market for defenders, with Smith, Zemura, Jack Stacey and Chris Mepham all understood to be entering the final year of their respective contracts.

It is not unreasonable to suggest the club could try to add four new defenders to the squad in the coming months.

Pre-season could see a chance for Brooklyn Genesini or Sam Sherring, who both have gained men's football experience out on loan and had their contracts extended by Cherries.

MIDFIELDERS

Lewis Cook, Jefferson Lerma, Philip Billing, Emiliano Marcondes, Ben Pearson, Gavin Kilkenny, Nathan Moriah-Welsh

While Cherries look short of defenders, one area they do look strong is in central midfield.

First-choice trio Lewis Cook, Jefferson Lerma and Philip Billing all have plenty of past Premier League experience.

Although perhaps not a priority, a new arrival may well still be likely in that position to bolster the squad. What happens aside from those aforementioned three could prove key to that. Emiliano Marcondes and Ben Pearson both struggled for game-time in the closing weeks of the season, and have never played in England's top-flight before.

Pearson has, however, spoken of his desire for a crack at the Premier League, feeling he can play his part, while Marcondes now has back-to-back promotions on his CV.

It would not be a surprise to see Gavin Kilkenny head out on loan. The talented Irishman played a vital role in the early months of the season, before falling down the pecking order. He almost joined Blackpool on loan in January and a temporary move to the Championship could be on the cards following promotion.

Nathan Moriah-Welsh is also an option, having trained with the first-team for the majority of last season.

A decision on where the Guyana international is best served to spend the 2022-23 campaign is expected in the coming weeks, with the 20-year-old having impressed and made his senior debut for Cherries since signing a new contract last summer.

WINGERS

David Brooks, Ryan Christie, Junior Stanislas, Siriki Dembele, Jaidon Anthony

Cherries have an interesting array of wide attacking options.

However, the only two with any Premier League experience to call upon are Junior Stanislas and David Brooks. It remains unclear at this point how soon either may be ready to contribute on the pitch for Cherries, the latter returning from his successful cancer treatment. Stanislas is recuperating from his latest injury setback, suffering a slipped disc.

Siriki Dembele and Jaidon Anthony are likely to get plenty of opportunities to impress in the top flight, while Ryan Christie has bags of big-game experience from his time playing with Scotland and Celtic.

With the exit of Todd Cantwell, plus uncertainties over the fitness of a couple of the names above, it would not be a surprise to see an experienced wide option be brought into the squad over the summer. A player who of course could fit that bill, is Brady.

It is also worth noting the Premier League rule change next season, which will see five substitutes allowed during a game from a bench of nine, which offers plenty of chance for rotation, especially on the wings.

STRIKERS

Dominic Solanke, Kieffer Moore, Jamal Lowe, Christian Saydee

While Dominic Solanke struggled for goals during his previous time in the Premier League, he is a much different prospect now on the back of a 30-goal season.

Given his goals return and all-round play, something boss Parker has regularly reserved special praise for, it seems unlikely Cherries would look for a new starter in that position.

Kieffer Moore proved his worth during the closing weeks of the campaign and is desperate to prove he can do it at the top level as well.

That duo are supplemented by Jamal Lowe, who of course can also offer an option out wide, while Saydee returns after a spell on loan at Burton Albion.

What Parker decides as the plan for Lowe and Saydee will likely have a key bearing on any potential recruitment in this area over the summer.

An additional striker could be brought in, but it may make more sense to look for a versatile player who can also provide that added option on the wing as well as compete with Solanke and Moore.

Also on the striker front, 21-year-old Jake Scrimshaw has seen his contract extended by Cherries, so he may hope for a pre-season chance.

The transfer window officially opens on June 10, with the Premier League season beginning on August 6.

Cherries' 2022-23 first-team squad as it stands:

Goalkeepers: Mark Travers, Will Dennis.

Defenders: Adam Smith, Jack Stacey, Chris Mepham, Lloyd Kelly, James Hill, Zeno Ibsen Rossi, Jordan Zemura.

Midfielders: Lewis Cook, Jefferson Lerma, Philip Billing, Emiliano Marcondes, Ben Pearson, Gavin Kilkenny, Nathan Moriah-Welsh.

Wingers: David Brooks, Ryan Christie, Junior Stanislas, Siriki Dembele, Jaidon Anthony.

Strikers: Dominic Solanke, Kieffer Moore, Jamal Lowe, Christian Saydee.