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Basque excitement as Andoni Iraola communicates with Bournemouth player in local tongue – Few can understand

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola and his goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga have been receiving attention in the Basque media, following the Cherry’s victory over Tottenham Hotspur last night.

Iraola brought in Kepa on loan from Chelsea during the last transfer window and the former Atletico Club Bilbao star has impressed for the Premier League side since arriving.

[El Diario Vasco](https://www.diariovasco.com/deportes/futbol/bournemouth-andoni-iraola-kepa-arrizabalaga-vuelve-locos-rivales-premier-league-euskera-20241206144110-nt.html?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.diariovasco.com%2Fdeportes%2Ffutbol%2Fbournemouth-andoni-iraola-kepa-arrizabalaga-vuelve-locos-rivales-premier-league-euskera-20241206144110-nt.html%3Fvca%3Ddgtk-rrss-dv&vca=dgtk-rrss-dv) have reported on the relationship between the two Basques, and they say Iraola was communicating with Kepa in their regional dialect during the 1-0 win over Tottenham.

The Basque newspaper explain Kepa was given instructions by the Bournemouth boss on a number of occasions, including playing a free kick to the wing. El Diario Vasco highlight that only Iraola and Kepa, and a few others in the Premier League, will know what the instructions mean and that this can only be an advantage for Bournemouth.

Since arriving at the Vitality Stadium in 2023, Iraola has transformed the club in its performance and style of play. After picking three points up in their victory over Tottenham, Bournemouth are now 9th in the Premier League table.

Kepa has also contributed to Bournemouth’s impressive start to the season and has made seven league appearances since signing for the club towards the end of the last window.

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