Wednesday 17 June 2015 12:35, UK
It has been a season to remember for Bournemouth as they earned promotion to the Premier League after one of the closest Championship title races in years.
As many as eight clubs were still in the hunt with just weeks of the season remaining but it was the Cherries who prevailed, pipping Watford to the title on the final day of the season.
It means that all connected with Bournemouth can spend the summer salivating at the prospect of Premier League football and captain Tommy Elphick is no different.
We spoke to the defender after the five players he is most looking forward to pitting his wits against…
John Terry
The most I’m looking forward to (playing against) is John Terry. He’s someone who I’ve loved watching over the last 10 years in the Premier League. The way he plays and everything about him, he’s someone who I’ve looked up to and tried to model myself on a little bit as well. His mental strength as well, he’s come back from people saying he’s finished and to come back and have the season he’s had, played every game and lead his team to the league is pretty phenomenal.
Glenn Murray
I used to room with him at Brighton, we’re good friends and still in contact. He’s someone again who had a knock back with his bad injury and he’s come back and done really well to re-establish at Palace and get a lot of crucial goals for them. I think after the season he had in the Championship scoring 30-odd goals, I think you never lose the ability and the confidence from that and it was all just about getting back fit and working hard. For him, getting enough minutes under his belt to regain that confidence and match fitness to go again.
Wayne Rooney
England captain, you don’t really get much bigger than that. He’s been around for so many years now and he keeps producing, year after year and getting better so he would definitely be in there. As a defender I’d want him playing as far away as possible I think! Obviously his talent is unlimited and he’s an amazing player.
Eden Hazard
He’s had a really special season and got a lot of praise globally from everyone and again at such a young age to be doing what he’s doing and leading that line for Chelsea as he has done this season with crucial goals and assists, he’s cleaned up with every accolade he could get this season so he'd be another one. They’re the players who are harder to mark than your typical front man who is always around you. He’s just got an abundance of skill and talent. Everyone is going to be tricky but none more so than him.
Harry Kane
The last one would be Harry Kane, he’s scored 30-plus goals and seems to be getting better and better with every game. He’s getting a lot of praise so it will be good to see how good he is. I’ve never played against him (when he was on loan), I’ve just watched him this season really. He looks like he has everything you need to be the modern day No 9, if you like: big, tall, strong, quick, athletic and he scores a lot of goals. With the size of him it probably took him a bit longer to fill his frame out, a bit longer than some others to develop but it’s all come together last season and he must be feeling really good about himself.
