Bournemouth star Justin Kluivert has admitted he practices penalties once a week after being handed the role in pre-season by luck.
[ELF Voetbal](https://www.elfvoetbal.nl/binnenland/284832/justin-kluivert-stunt-met-afc-bournemouth-had-ik-die-strafschop-gemist-sloot-ik-achteraan-aan) have an interview with the forward today as he continues to impress under Andoni Iraola this season.
The Dutchman has 12 goals and five assists in 26 games in the Premier League this season and appears to be on course for his best campaign to date.
The 25-year-old has full settled on the south coast after years of bouncing around various clubs in Europe after emerging as a talent at Ajax.
Now he is very much one of the leading stars of this Bournemouth team and has proved himself worthy of that status with the numbers he’s managed but also a series of impressive performances.
One of his best came in a win against Wolves as he bagged a hattrick in the 4-2 win and became the first player in Premier League history to score three penalties in the same game.
That took undeniable skill and was a special moment, particularly given he only started taking penalties for Bournemouth in the summer.
“In a practice match in the preparation of the current season, I demanded a penalty. We did not have a clear specialist. I took the ball and scored,” he said.
“I realized the risk behind that kick. If I had missed, I could forget it and I would join the back of the line. Since then, I’ve been training on penalties once a week. Kepa Arrizabalaga, our goalkeeper, goes under the bar.
“He gives me tips. It’s important to vary when taking penalties. Opponents analyse everything. Sometimes I choose the angle in advance. The next time I wait until the goalkeeper makes a move. That unpredictability is incredibly difficult for a goalkeeper.
“(vs Wolves) required different preparation three times. But we did it. We scored three times.”
He had his Bournemouth teammates sign the Wolves ball after the game, something he thinks is important to emphasise a point.
“Through the whole team, because you need each other. I realise that and I wanted to emphasise this,” he added.
“The ball is next to the match ball of Newcastle United, when I also scored a hat-trick (on 18 January 2025), in the nursery. Just like my Player of the Month trophy and my other prizes.”