AFC Bournemouth’s players are currently being put through their paces in the Costa del Sol.
The Cherries are on their second day of a pre-season training camp at the Marbella Football Center, on the outskirts of the popular Spanish city.
Having headed Stateside in recent years to the likes of Philadelphia and Chicago, this summer’s camp is much closer to home.
So why is the Marbella Football Center the perfect place for Eddie Howe’s side to step up their preparations for the 2017/18 Premier League season?
- The Marbella Football Center is located 14km outside of Marbella, on the Costa del Sol.
- The facility is set within 56,000 square-metres of grounds and boasts four 11-a-side pitches, four seven-a-side pitches and eight football tennis courts.
- All of the pitches are composed of 50 per cent fescue and 50 per cent ray grass on a silica sand base.
- As well as seven changing rooms, there is a spa area, fully-equipped gym, medical centre, press room and a pitchside stand with a 1,000-person captacity.
- A busy and popular facility, it is used by more than 60 squads every year, and has played host to national teams including Germany, Argentina and Sweden, as well as club sides like Inter Milan, Benfica and Lyon.
- While the weather in Bournemouth may be balmy right now, temperatures in Marbella are set to average 28 degrees Celsius this week.
- Benefits of training in such warm conditions include physical and mental improvements, while team bonding and building togetherness also plays a big part in trips away.
