It’s now three years since Brooks emotionally returned to the Premier League in March 2023, when he got here off the bench to applause from all 4 sides of the bottom at Aston Villa.
There was a mortgage spell with Southampton earlier than re-establishing himself on the Vitality, incomes a brand new four-year deal a couple of months again.
“I believed he was Bournemouth’s greatest participant in pre-season and he carried that on when the season began,” provides Mepham, with Brooks now remarkably wanting like he is by no means been away quite than missed virtually two years of top-flight soccer.
“There have by no means been any query marks round his means, the one issues have been about his health, however his operating knowledge in video games was rather a lot greater than earlier than.”
It must be, given the model of Bournemouth’s method underneath Andoni Iraola, each the Cherries and Craig Bellamy’s Wales sharing an depth to the best way they need to play.
There may be an effectiveness too. Brooks is fifth highest within the Premier League for anticipated assists averaged over 90 minutes, and within the high ten for carries with the ball that end in an opportunity.
“I believe he is actually stepped up,” says former Bournemouth and Wales Beneath 21 defender Joe Partington, a part of the BBC Solent staff that frequently cowl the Cherries.
“You possibly can see the affect he has on and off the pitch – he is been captain and you aren’t getting that if the supervisor does not have actual religion in what you are able to do as a participant.
“I believe it could have been pure for folks to marvel if he would attain the degrees once more, however he is accomplished that and when you concentrate on it, it is unimaginable.”
A sentiment agreed with wonderment by Kieffer Moore, one other former Bournemouth team-mate who additionally shared Wales’ Euro 2020 dressing room with Brooks.
“He is gone from power to power – outstanding, actually, given what his physique and thoughts have been via,” says the Wrexham striker.
