Paulsen Faces Tough Test at Bournemouth

Goalkeeper Alex Paulsen recently completed a transfer to Premier League club Bournemouth for £850,000 to become their fourth summer signing.

The New Zealand-born stopper has had a meteoric rise up the ranks since debuting for A-League side Wellington Phoenix in 2021/22.

Paulsen conceded only 28 goals in 29 games last term, keeping 12 clean sheets as the Phoenix reached the A-League play-offs before Melbourne Victory sent them packing.

He won the Young Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year and Fans’ Player of the Year awards to cap an excellent first season as the first-choice goalie.

Kiwi Will be Eager to Make his Mark

Paulsen will be eyeing the number-one spot at Bournemouth, but it is unclear whether he will be pitched in at the deep end by the Premier League club.

Former Barcelona and Juventus goalie Neto was the first-choice last season, although he lost his place in the line-up towards the end of the campaign.

Mark Travers has been linked with a summer exit, which would pave the way for Paulsen to immediately challenge Neto for a place in the team.

After finishing the 2023/24 season in 12th place with 48 points, the Cherries will be keen on pushing into the top half of the Premier League table next season.

Shoring up a defence that leaked 67 goals will be the first place to start, and Paulsen’s ability to provide a solid foundation could be crucial to their ambitions.

Bookmakers rate Bournemouth as 2.62 shots to finish in the top half of the table and their new goalkeeper could be pivotal to their hopes of achieving the feat.

Paulsen’s presence in the team would spark a flurry of activity on betting sites in his homeland, with punters there recognising a good bet when they see one.

While the odds suggest Bournemouth will miss out on a top 10 finish, their chances could improve if they give Paulsen the opportunity to prove his worth.

Bournemouth May Favour a Loan Move for Paulsen

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola may decide that Paulsen’s development would be better served by being sent out on loan this season.

If Paulsen cannot break into the Bournemouth starting XI, a loan must be on the cards for him to grow and improve his game.

Paulsen could be an option for promotion hopefuls Burnley. The Clarets are furiously scouring the market for goalkeeping reinforcements, and the Auckland-born shot-stopper is a solid option.

Besides being blessed with cat-like reflexes, the young keeper is terrific with his feet. He played futsal consistently as a youngster, where he featured as an outfield player before switching positions.

This ability on the ball could benefit Burnley, who will once again attempt to play expansive football in the Championship under new manager Scott Parker. They need a ball-playing goalkeeper to start attacks from the back and Paulsen fits the bill.

Another potentially exciting loan destination is Sheffield United. Chris Wilder’s side have space in the squad for Paulsen after goalkeeper Wes Foderingham joined West Ham United.

They have only Ivan Grbic and seldom-used Adam Davies in their squad and must dip into the market for a new goalie. Paulsen could be a cost-effective loan signing that would allow United to channel funds to other areas of the squad.

Whether he becomes Bournemouth’s number one or gains valuable experience through a loan spell, the young Kiwi has the potential to become a cornerstone of the national team for years to come.

His success could inspire a new generation of goalkeepers and elevate the profile of New Zealand football on the global stage.