AFC Bournemouth winger Rayan is facing questions over his early-season form as the Cherries handle a winless start to the Premier League campaign. The 20-year-old Brazilian, who joined from Vasco De Gama in January, has featured in all three opening matches but has yet to deliver the consistent spark he showed last season.
Bournemouth currently sit 15th in the Premier League table with two points from three games, following a draw, a loss, and another draw. They have scored four goals but conceded five, leaving them with a negative goal difference early in the 2026/27 season. This context adds urgency to finding solutions across the pitch, including on the flanks where Rayan operates.
Rayan's contributions have been isolated to individual moments rather than sustained dominance. His most notable involvement came in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle United, where he took on defender Lewis Hall on the right flank in the build-up to Marcus Tavernier's opening goal. Beyond that flash, his influence has been limited. Compared to the more experienced Tavernier on the opposite wing, Rayan's performances have lacked the same level of control and end product. The team's overall record of zero wins from three games shows the need for improved contributions from all attacking players.
Manager Marco Rose has alternative wide players at his disposal, each with different profiles. David Brooks has been named in the squad for the club's Europa League campaign, offering experience and creativity. Another option is Scottish international Ben Gannon-Doak, who is expected to see more Premier League minutes precisely because he is not registered for European competition. Gannon-Doak, who featured for Scotland at the World Cup this summer, is known for his blistering pace and ability to dribble in tight spaces. His skill set provides a different tactical threat for Rose to consider.
The club is also managing a significant injury list, with Amine Adli, Eli Junior Kroupi, Julián Araujo, and Veljko Milosavljević currently sidelined. This reduces squad depth and increases the importance of getting the most from every available player, including Rayan. Fans can track the recovery progress of these players on the club's official injuries page.
With Bournemouth expected to play over fifty matches across all competitions this season, managing minutes and maximising impact is vital. One potential strategy involves using Rayan as a potent impact substitute. The idea would see a starter like Brooks or Gannon-Doak play the first hour, with Rayan introduced for the final thirty minutes to run at tired defenders. This could exploit his ability to change a game in moments without requiring a full ninety-minute performance.
Rose might also consider deploying Rayan more frequently in Europa League matches, where opposing defenders could be less tactically disciplined, allowing his individual talent more space to flourish. The fixture congestion means squad rotation is inevitable, and the full fixtures schedule shows the challenge ahead.
The young winger himself remains confident. "Form is temporary, and class is permanent," Rayan said, adding, "the Rayan of last season under Andoni Iraola will hopefully be back soon!" This belief that his current struggles are a temporary dip, not a permanent decline, is shared within the club. The hope is that with patience and perhaps a tweak in role, the dynamic player who impressed last term will re-emerge.
The immediate focus shifts to the next match, a home game against Brentford on September 12th. Brentford currently sit 5th in the table, presenting a tough challenge for a Bournemouth side seeking its first win. How Rose sets up his team, and whether Rayan starts or is used from the bench, will be a key tactical decision. The full league standings show the Cherries are already seven points behind early leaders Manchester City. The team's next home match is against Brentford on September 12th.
