Bournemouth fans must have feared the worst when £200m worth of first-team players left during the summer.
But keeping hold of one star – Antoine Semenyo – proved an absolute masterstroke as the Ghana winger has been the inspiration behind their climb to second spot in the Premier League.
The 25-year-old scored twice, and assisted one, as Bournemouth came from behind to beat Fulham 3-1 on Friday and move to within one point of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
The first strike to equalise was special as he picked the ball up on the left wing, left defenders in his wake, took it to the byeline and then slotted the ball through Bernd Leno’s legs from a tight angle.
He then set up Justin Kluivert’s goal before netting in injury time on a counter-attack.
That takes him up to six league goals this season, only behind Mancheter City’s generational goalscorer Erling Haaland.
Since the start of May, he has been directly involved in more goals than any other player in the Premier League (12 – eight goals, four assists).
Not bad for a player Bristol City picked up from the South Gloucestershire and Stroud College academy at the age of 17.
“It was a hard [stormy] night to play football but it didn’t matter to Semenyo,” said ex-England midfielder Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports.
“He just glides across that surface. An incredible, unique talent. So fantastic to see.
“Doesn’t matter if it’s right foot, left foot, makes no difference for him.”