Justin Kluivert
BOUNetherlands
Both
May 5, 1999
27
5'8"
148 lb
AM
LW
Creative Playmaker
BournemouthOn bench Saturday
Kluivert (knee) is on the bench for Saturday's clash against Fulham.
Analysis: Kluivert returns to the matchday squad after being ruled out of last weekend's fixture against Crystal Palace, with coach Andoni Iraola confirming his inclusion after a smooth progression through training with no swelling or reaction in the knee. The forward has been sidelined for four to five months, and Iraola opted to ease him back carefully with a bench role rather than throwing him straight into the starting lineup given the length of his absence. His return is well timed with the World Cup on the horizon, where featuring for the Netherlands will depend on getting enough minutes before the campaign concludes.
Should make squad Saturday
Kluivert (knee) is expected to be in the squad for Saturday's clash against Fulham, according to coach Andoni Iraola, per Jack Hillman of Nerve Sport.
Analysis: Kluivert had been ruled out of last weekend's fixture against Crystal Palace after four to five months on the sidelines, but his progression through training has been smooth with no swelling or reaction in the knee, putting him right on track for a return this weekend. The forward is a key option for Bournemouth in the final stretch of the season and his return is well timed with the World Cup on the horizon, where he could feature for the Netherlands if he gets enough minutes to prove his fitness. Manager Iraola will ease him back carefully given the length of his absence, but the signs are encouraging that Kluivert can make a meaningful contribution before the campaign concludes.
Sunday too early, close to return
Kluivert is out for Sunday's match against Crystal Palace but is eyeing a return for the final three games of the season, according to manager Andoni Iraola. "I think it's very positive news for us. Justin is a very important player on our team. He has still not been training fully this week, but at a very good level. Probably, Sunday arrives too early for him, but I think he will help us in these last games of the season. He will have, I hope, quality minutes. After such a long time out, four or five months, I think everything has gone smoothly. After training, his knee is responding well, no swelling, no issues, so I think it's going to be a good help for these last games of the season. But still, for this one, it's going to be too much."
Analysis: Kluivert has been out for months now, but is nearing a return to play for the end of the season, as he eyes a return following Sunday's contest. This is major news for the midfielder, especially with the World Cup on the horizon, likely to leave him an option for the Netherlands. He is coming off a career season in the 2024/25 campaign, so he will hope to end the season on a high note, likely to see quality minutes once fit.
Training, could play Sunday
Kluivert (knee) has returned to training and could be involved against Palace on Sunday if he comes through training well, according to Mark McAdam of Soccer Saturday.
Analysis: Kluivert has been out for around five months but is nearing a return to play in the coming days or weeks, as he has returned to the training field. He is already working back to full fitness and could feature as soon as Sunday, although that is if he can have a clean bill of health by the end of the week. That said, the midfielder is being considered a late call, potentially getting the chance to see the field. He started in 10 of his 18 appearances before the injury while notching two goals on 16 shots.
Could be done for season
Kluivert will miss "months" and it could be more or less depending on the surgery, according to manager Andoni Iraola. " He will have surgery Thursday and depending what they decide to do, will be. But it will be months. It can be more months or less months, depending how they approach the surgery... It's the knee capsule, the patella... what I've been told is they will open, they will see what they can do and depending if sometimes they decide to repair it and it's more time, maybe if it's not as bad, they just clean it and it's less time."
Analysis: A better timeline for Kluivert will be decided after surgery, but there's a real chance he won't be back this season. While it's not ligament related, there's still a big question on when he can be back, which will be key with the World Cup in six months. The best-case scenario will possibly mean a return in March or April, while the worst-case is that he's done for the season. With Antoine Semenyo headed out, Bournemouth could move into the market for new options. If not, it could mean heavier time for Eli Kroupi, Amine Adli and even Enes Unal.
Set to undergo knee surgery
Kluivert will undergo a knee surgery and is set to miss some time on the sidelines, the club announced.
Analysis: Kluivert suffered a knee injury following the clash against Arsenal on Saturday and is set to undergo a surgery in the coming days. This will leave him unavailable for some time which is a blow for the Cherries since he is an undisputed starter in the frontline when fit. Lewis Cook is expected to step in the midfield and Marcus Tavernier play in a more advanced role while he is out.
Strong service
Kluivert had two shots (zero on goal), six crosses (two accurate) and five corners in Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Arsenal.
Analysis: Even though Kluviert did not get an assist, he provided good service and was relatively accurate given Arsenal's stiff defense. He'll have a chance to be more clinical against a less formidable Tottenham defense which has conceded 23 times in 19 matches.
Nets one
Kluivert scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), four crosses (zero accurate) and two corners in Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Chelsea.
Analysis: Kluivert added on a goal for Bournemouth Tuesday, completing a shot on target, two key passes and winning two tackles. In the last seven Premier League appearances, the midfielder had started five of those games, collecting a goal with 11 key passes, four tackles won and completing five successful dribbles in that span.
Pair of chances created
Kluivert created a pair of chances and took four set-pieces during Sunday's four-all draw with Manchester United.
Analysis: Kluivert was in the starting XI for the third match in a row since overcoming an injury and he had his best game yet. He had a role on set-pieces as well as creating a pair of chances. Now that he's back fully fit, Kluivert seems to have a set role in the starting XI, and if he can keep taking set-pieces he will have a somewhat safe floor.
Available off bench
Kluivert (groin) is on the bench for Saturday's clash against Sunderland.
Analysis: Kluivert was expected to return to the match squad in a few weeks but the Friday training session where he was expected to do something proved very positive for the medical staff since he is back available and an option off the bench for the Cherries. This is great news for Bournemouth since he was a regular starter prior to his setback, starting four of his last six appearances. He also contributed one goal in that span.
Expected to train Friday
Kluivert (groin) is expected to do some sort of training on Friday, coach Andoni Iraola said in the press conference. "Justin is doing very well. I hope he can even do something today maybe, with the group. He has a very small injury in the abductor but he is doing well and I hope he can do something today."
Analysis: Kluivert is progressing well in his rehabilitation from an adductor injury and hopes to resume some form of team training on Friday for the first time since his setback, according to coach Andoni Iraola. This is encouraging news since he is a regular starter in the Cherries' frontline and a return to the match squad in the first half of December is now expected. Until then, Eli Kroupi is expected to take on a larger role in the attack.
Suffers groin injury
Kluivert (groin) is ruled out for Saturday's clash against West Ham United, coach Andoni Iraola said in the press conference. "We had confirmed injuries of Justin - an abductor muscle injury - so Justin is going to be out.
Analysis: Kluivert suffered a groin injury while on international duty with Netherlands and is ruled out for Saturday's clash against West Ham United. The forward will likely be assessed at the beginning of next week to know if he can be back available for upcoming fixtures. David Brooks or Amine Adli will be the likely options to replace him in the frontline against the Hammers.
Returns to Bournemouth
Kluivert suffered an injury with the Netherlands and has returned to Bournemouth for testing, according to his national team.
Analysis: Kluivert has suffered an injury over the international break and is unable to continue with his national team, instead returning to his club for testing and rehabilitation. This is something to watch for the club, as he has started in four of their past six matches after earning a bench spot to begin the season. With a quick turnaround leading up to Saturday's match against West Ham, he will hope the injury is minor, with David Brooks or Amine Adli as possible replacements if he misses further time.
Finds net from bench appearance
Kluivert scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and one chance created in Friday's 3-1 victory versus Fulham.
Analysis: Kluivert came off the bench after 61 minutes and smashed home a long-range beauty in the 84th minute from his only shot on target that proved decisive in turning the match in Bournemouth's favor. The attacking midfielder has had just one start and is usually deployed in most games from the bench, this was his first strike of the season.
Impactful bench appearance in draw
Kluivert recorded one shot (on target), two crosses (none accurate) and one corner in Sunday's 0-0 draw against Newcastle United.
Analysis: Kluivert came off the bench Sunday after 63 minutes and nearly broke the deadlock when his low free-kick in stoppage time forced a sharp save from Nick Pope. It was his only shot on target in a match otherwise starved of chances. He also drew plenty of attention from Newcastle defenders, illustrating his positional threat even when service was limited. Recent games suggest Kluivert has been more effective when introduced in the second half, exploiting tiring backlines with clever runs and set-piece involvement, though he's still lacking volume of shots and assists in tighter fixtures.
Close to 100 percent
Kluivert is ramping up his fitness levels following his return last match, according to manager Andoni Iraola. "Justin is quite sharp and is at a good level to help."
Analysis: Kluivert is still building up his fitness after a return from a calf injury, with the attacker now nearing 100 percent after the slight layoff. This should ensure the attacker remains in the starting XI moving forward, looking to return to last year's form where he registered 18 goal contributions in 34 appearances (29 starts).
First start of the season
Kluivert got his first start of the 2025/26 campaign during Tuesday's Carabao Cup clash with Brentford.
Analysis: Kluivert played 66 minutes during the start, looking his best and moving well. He's continuing to ramp up his playing time after missing the opener, and then playing 14 minutes off the bench against Wolves. When fit Kluivert should start ahead of David Brooks on the wing. He could take that starting job as soon as Saturday's trip to Tottenham.
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