AFC Bournemouth manager Jonathan Woodgate has revealed that he came close to signing centre back Cameron Carter-Vickers during his time as Middlesbrough manager.

Woodgate was in charge at The Riverside Stadium during the 2019/20 season, being sacked in June with the club only outside the relegation zone on goal difference, while Carter-Vickers spent time on loan with Stoke and Luton from Tottenham, before joining Bournemouth on a temporary basis last summer.

Now however, it seems as though things could have worked out very differently for both Woodgate and Carter-Vickers last season.

Speaking about the American international, who has enjoyed a run in the side under Woodgate since his appointment earlier this year, the Cherries boss told The Bournemouth Daily Echo: “I’ve been really impressed.

“I’ve done a lot of work on Cameron last year because I was close to taking him when I was at Middlesbrough – so I knew all about him.

“Then in lockdown, I’d done a lot more work on him as well. I spoke to a lot of people for him.

“We were going to look at him for this season, if I’d have still been in charge at Middlesbrough. He was heavily on my list."

Discussing the attributes that Carter-Vickers possesses as a defender, the former England centre back went on to add: “Okay, he’s not the tallest but he’s a very, very good defender. His leap is good, he’s quick, he’s decent enough on the ball for me.

“What he does need to improve on is in the opposition box, scoring more goals, but I like him as a player, I like his personality. He wants to defend first and I think that’s important in this league.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with him. He hasn’t missed a minute and we’ve kept four clean sheets with him in the team.”

Bournemouth are currently seventh in the Championship table, but could reclaim a top six spot in the standings with victory over Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Wednesday night, a game in which it is though Carter-Vickers will continue his run in the starting XI under Woodgate.

The Verdict

This is one of those scenarios that could be filed under the category of "what might have been?".

Given the way that Carter-Vickers is playing under Woodgate now, it does seem as though the Spurs loanee works well under the former Tottenham.

As a result, it could be argued that things could have worked out differently for Woodgate at 'Boro last season, had he been able to bring Carter-Vickers to The Riverside Stadium.

That however, is something we will never know, and you feel that Woodgate will simply be happy to have him at his disposal now, as he looks to guide Bournemouth towards promotion this season.