Bournemouth’s Rayan embraces pressure before Premier League City test

Bournemouth forward Rayan, 20, says his World Cup experience has changed the expectations surrounding him before the new Premier League season. The Brazilian scored five goals and supplied two assists in 15 appearances last season, when Bournemouth finished sixth and qualified for the Europa League.

Rayan believes the tournament in which he turned from a teenager into a regular starter has accelerated his development. He was 19 when he played at the World Cup and celebrated his 20th birthday on August 3. Despite Brazil’s elimination by Norway, he feels the experience left him better prepared for the demands ahead.

That change has also been recognised within Bournemouth. Manager Marco Rose has spoken with the forward about the greater responsibility that comes with playing at a World Cup and returning to club football with a higher profile. Rayan says Rose remains mindful of his age but communicates with him regularly.

The Brazilian also identified Bournemouth director Tiago Pinto as an important source of support. He accepts that opponents and supporters may view him differently after the tournament, while insisting that the increased attention must be turned into stronger performances rather than becoming a burden.

Bournemouth’s opening challenge is a trip to Manchester City on August 23. The fixture gives Rayan an immediate meeting with Erling Haaland, whose Norway side ended Brazil’s World Cup campaign. That result has provided an additional personal edge before the Premier League encounter, even as Rayan looks to establish himself as a bigger part of Bournemouth’s plans.

Bournemouth are listed eighth in the 2026 Premier League table with zero points after no matches, so the campaign has not yet begun. Their recent results provide a more useful indication of their preparation: victories over FC St. Pauli, Fulham and Crystal Palace, alongside draws against Nottingham Forest and Manchester City. The sequence includes a 3-0 win over Palace and a 1-1 draw with City.

Rayan has set Bournemouth the target of improving on last season and competing for European qualification again. With his breakthrough coming in the second half of the previous campaign, the forward is now expected to carry a more prominent role from the start.