One of the more challenging aspects of being an international footballer is dealing with the various roles you’re asked to play.
Take Bournemouth striker Josh King. For the Cherries, he is often deployed out wide or as a secondary striker, with Callum Wilson, the preferred man up front. However, for Norway, King is the recognised, first-choice centre forward.
It’s something the Bournemouth man has discussed in the past, making comments about the role he plays under Eddie Howe and where he’d prefer to be.
The subject has come up once again during this break and King, while not commenting on it, says everyone knows where he’d prefer to be playing.
“Last time I said something about it, there was a lot of comment on that,” he told Nettavisen.
“(So) I don’t think I’ll comment on it. Everyone knows where I want to play and where I am best, but I am a team player and do what I am asked to.”
It seems should King want to push the case further with Bournemouth, though, he will have big support in his international coach, Lars Lagerbäck.
While King held back from criticising his club manager, the Norway boss was not as pragmatic as his star forward.
Instead, he suggested Eddie Howe had King wholly wrong and was misusing the striker with his current role at Bournemouth.
“I don’t think he’s playing in his best position,” he added.
“I think he’s more suited to play striker, with all respect to his manager. He does after all have to balance the team going by the abilities of the players he has.
“I suppose the striker they use can’t play more out wide, like Josh has to do. Considering he’s in a position that might not be 100% his best, I think he’s doing well”.
