Eddie Howe is delighted with the impact of Jefferson Lerma.

Lerma arrived for a major fee from Levante in the summer. But there was some concern about how he would adapt to the Premier League.

The 23-year-old has been sensational for the Cherries, giving them a platform in defensive midfield. He was particularly great in the 4-0 win over Watford.

Howe said to the Daily Echo: "His understanding of what we are asking him to do and his understanding of the league is improving all the time.

"From when he joined us to now, I think we have seen an improvement in his performances in every game.

"I was very pleased with him against Watford. It was the kind of game we signed him for.

"His physicality and defensive intelligence was really important to us. I thought he was outstanding.

"He's very good with the ball. For us to sign a midfielder who is not technically good would be impossible given how we play.

"A couple of the passes he made were very good and that shows promise for the future because the more we work with him and the more he understands what we want, the better he is going to get."