Bournemouth will start the new Premier League season with a different version of Rayan, at least according to the Brazilian himself.
The 20-year-old believes his World Cup experience has changed how people see him. That includes those inside Bournemouth, where manager Marco Rose has already spoken to him about greater expectations.
Rayan discussed his new status in an interview with ESPN Brazil ahead of Sunday’s trip to Manchester City.
“Maturity,” he said when asked what the World Cup had given him. “I was 19 when I played at the World Cup. I turned 20 on August 3. It was a very happy moment.”
“After I became a starter and started playing, I matured a lot. Even with the defeat to Norway, I came out more prepared. I’ve arrived here wanting to start and finish the season well.”
Rose has already spoken to Rayan
Bournemouth already had plenty of reasons to be excited about Rayan before the World Cup. He arrived from Vasco da Gama as a young prospect and quickly made an impact in England.
The attacker scored five goals and provided two assists in 15 appearances last season. Those contributions helped Bournemouth finish sixth and secure a place in the Europa League.
His performances for Brazil have now added another layer to the expectations around him.
“After a World Cup, people look at you differently. The World Cup gives a player more weight. Now I have to make the most of that,” Rayan explained.
“There’s more expectation and more responsibility. The manager spoke to me about that.”
“After a World Cup, the responsibility on me becomes very big, just like the expectations from the supporters.”
Rose appears keen to manage that carefully. Rayan says the Bournemouth boss regularly speaks with him and remains conscious of his age.
“He talks to me a lot. He knows I’m only 20, but he understands that the World Cup changes things.”
“I also have Tiago [Pinto], the Portuguese director, who helps me a lot. I want to start this season very well.”
Bournemouth want another European push
Rayan’s breakthrough came during the second half of last season. This time, Bournemouth can expect him to have a bigger role from the beginning.
The Brazilian is also setting the bar high after last season’s sixth-place finish.
“Our objective is to have an even better season than the last one,” he said.
“We worked for that. We want to fight for European competitions again. The important thing is to start well, finish well and get as many points as possible.”
First comes Manchester City at the Etihad, where Rayan will meet Erling Haaland. And there’s a little extra motivation there.
Norway knocked Brazil out of the World Cup, giving Rayan an obvious reason to enjoy getting one over Haaland on Sunday.
“I’m going to have to get him back for that!” he joked.
