Over the first weekend of the new Premier League season, no player recorded more sprints in a match than the 26 notched up by Bournemouth’s David Brooks.
In a thrilling opening fixture at Anfield on Friday, Bournemouth went toe-to-toe with reigning champions Liverpool, fighting back from 2-0 down to draw level, before the home side emerged as 4-2 winners with two goals in the final moments. Brooks, the 28-year-old Wales international winger, was key to the visitors’ effort, producing a superb cross to assist Antoine Semenyo’s first goal, and integral to a pressing that unnerved Liverpool all night.
Brooks’ output is all the more remarkable when you consider the challenges he has faced in recent years.
In October 2021, he was diagnosed with cancer; 598 days passed before his next competitive start for Bournemouth, in May 2023.
As he rebuilt his strength and fitness following extensive chemotherapy, his return was delayed due to a hamstring injury in August 2022, while his pre-season last summer was hampered by a dislocated shoulder suffered in the 2023-24 Championship play-off final while on loan at Southampton. It is perhaps only now, after a full pre-season back with his parent club, that Brooks has fully rediscovered his fitness, form and confidence.
