Francis: Centre-back role can extend playing days at Bournemouth

Bournemouth captain Simon Francis is confident his switch to centre-back can extend his playing days at Vitality Stadium.

The 31-year-old impressed for the Cherries last season after moving to the centre from his full-back role after Tommy Elphick was ruled out through injury.

He has since gone on to become a regular in the centre, appearing in all seven of Bournemouth’s Premier League fixtures so far this term, and admits he is enjoying the reduced intensity of the position compared to life down the flank.

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

“I think moving position would definitely give my playing career an extra two or three years, just because of the output on the body,” he said.

“At right back it is hard work. I’ve done it for 12 years now and having moved to centre half, your body almost instantly feels better. The recovery time is quicker.

“That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy playing right-back, I loved every minute of it and if I played there again I would still love it.

“But moving to centre half has certainly helped me fitness-wise. I definitely picked up more niggles and knocks playing right back because it’s so much more intense over 90 minutes because you are constantly up and down.”