Bournemouth right-back Julian Araujo has revealed how much the club has supported him since his €10m switch from Barcelona last summer — and credited Edson Álvarez and Raúl Jiménez for helping him settle in England.
Despite suffering a major thigh injury in November that sidelined him for nearly five months, Araujo says the transition to the Premier League has been smoother than expected, largely thanks to the atmosphere at Bournemouth and his support system within the Mexican international circle.
“The staff, the players — they’ve made me feel like family,” Araujo told CNN. “It’s very hard moving to a different culture, but they helped me with everything.”
Araujo’s First Season Hampered by Injury
The 23-year-old only managed 13 appearances in his debut campaign, missing 142 days of action and 26 matches for club and country due to a thigh issue. But mentally, he stayed upbeat.
Bournemouth’s coaching staff and teammates rallied around him, ensuring that his adjustment off the pitch wasn’t as challenging as the one on it.
How Álvarez and Jiménez Became Key Off-Pitch Support
Living on the south coast, Araujo found relief in having fellow Mexicans Edson Álvarez (West Ham) and Raúl Jiménez (Fulham) just a short drive away in London.
“I speak to Raúl and Edson a lot. Just going for dinner, talking about life — that helped me more than people realise.” — Julian Araujo to CNN
He formed particularly close ties with Jiménez during their time together with the national team at the Gold Cup, and credits those friendships for giving him a vital outlet away from the pitch.
2024/25 Season Stats – Julian Araujo
| Stat (2024/25) | Julian Araujo |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 13 |
| Minutes Played | 791 |
| Clean Sheets (Team) | 4 |
| Key Passes | 11 |
| Tackles Won | 23 |
Analyst Verdict: Araujo’s Reset Year Still Promising
While injury disrupted his first full season in English football, Araujo's attitude and maturity impressed Bournemouth’s staff. His technical ability, overlapping runs, and defensive aggression make him a strong option heading into 2025/26 if he stays fit.
Slotting back into Andoni Iraola’s system with a clean slate, Araujo could quickly become a regular fixture — especially if Bournemouth resist offers from La Liga.
Key Takeaways
- Julian Araujo made 13 appearances in 2024/25, missing 142 days through injury.
- Bournemouth “made it easy” for him to adjust to England, he says.
- Edson Álvarez and Raúl Jiménez have been key support figures off the pitch.
- Araujo credits his Mexican teammates for helping him “switch off” from football stress.
What’s Next for Julian Araujo?
Araujo will hope to stay injury-free in pre-season and reclaim a first-team role at Bournemouth. With a full summer under Iraola’s system, expect a stronger, more settled version of the Mexican full-back in 2025/26.
Do you think Julian Araujo can become a key player for Bournemouth next season? Or should the Cherries consider loaning him out for regular game time?
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