How Bournemouth are on brink of Europe despite losing stars

How Bournemouth are on brink of Europe despite losing starsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Bournemouth are the first team to have two different teenagers - Junior Kroupi and Rayan - score in three games in a row during the same seasonByNizaar KinsellaFootball reporter from BournemouthPublished1 minute agoCommentsBournemouth were raided for their star players in the last two transfer windows but are now in pole position to qualify for Europe for the first time in their history.Despite losing players valued at £202m last summer - including three members of their starting back four - and seeing their best forward Antoine Semenyo depart in January, the Cherries are on course for their highest finish in the league.On top of losing those key performers, the club, players and fans know manager Andoni Iraola will leave at the end of the season.Yet on they march toward a first season of European football, with a 1-0 win at Fulham the latest impressive result.A place in the Europa League or Conference League is an increasingly likely prospect, but the Champions League is also still possible - whether by finishing in the top five or if sixth place qualifies should Aston Villa win the Europa League."We are fighting to have this reward. You have to win a lot of points to get into Europe," Iraola told Match of the Day after the win at Craven Cottage. "We have such a good relationship with the players and the club. The process has been so clear and honest. Everyone knows what will happen next season."It follows a remarkable 16-game unbeaten run, which has only been bettered across Europe's top leagues by Bayern Munich (18) and AC Milan (24) this season.As Frankenstein author Mary Shelley once wrote: "Invention… does not consist in creating out of the void, but out of chaos."When Dean Huijsen joined Real Madrid, Milos Kerkez moved to Liverpool and Ilya Zabarnyi signed for Paris St‑Germain, it looked chaotic. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga a...