The Brazilian striker was never going to be the ultimate signing for Bournemouth, who had paid a club-record fee for him in August 2024 from Porto. But, two Premier League seasons on, his name is still linked to the influence he wields over games. The standard-playing-starts-call statistics are quite simple: 16 league goals in 67 appearances. The core statistics, however, tell a different story: The centre-forward has been more useful than his total due to his movement, his pressure and his time in the box.
The 2025/26 Goals Total Hides the Real Story
The scoring wasn't the same, as Evanilson managed just six Premier League goals last season, which is an average number compared with the likes of Erling Haaland, Igor Thiago and the rest of the top scorers in the division. It was also a dramatic decrease from his 10 goals in the 2024/25 season.
That changes with expected-goals data in the BTTS predictions. In 2025/26, StatMuse recorded Evanilson with 11.19 xG, which was the 11th most in the Premier League. FotMob had a bit of a lower number, around 11 xG, but arrived at the same general conclusion: Bournemouth were constantly getting their No.9 into scoring positions.
He also took charge of Bournemouth's 70+ shots in the league while FotMob had 140 touches in the opposition box. Those don't represent the number of forwards that get lost in games. They're the profile of a striker who was always there when goals were supposed to be scored, despite having trouble finishing at times during this season.
That distinction matters. Goals can vary and possession of high-quality targets is a better measure of the type of output a striker can offer.
Evanilson does work that scorelines miss
The Brazilian's style of play is not one that is restricted to playing between centre-backs. FotMob picked up 37 fouls won, 19 possessions won in the final third and 136 defensive contributions in 2025/26. He also won two penalties that season.
Those are the characteristics that Bournemouth had to live with under aggressive football manager Andoni Iraola, forcing turnovers and getting the attack on the ground early and making defenders get back fast. Evanilson was not always on the ball to finish the job but he was always willing to press, duel, run channels and attack loose balls to create space for his teammates.
Historically there's also proof of how difficult he is to defend in the box. Evanilson won five penalties in 2024/25, the most of any player in the Premier League that season. Three of those came in a single game against Wolves in November 2024, all converted by Justin Kluivert, making Evanilson the first player in Premier League history to win three penalties in a single match.
Bournemouth’s Rise Gives His Contribution Context
Bournemouth earned their first European football place in 2025/26 with 57 points. They scored 58 league goals in total, with Junior Kroupi and Antoine Semenyo grabbing most of the headlines with their individual numbers.
On the outside, Evanilson appeared to be a poor shot from the six. However, someone who spends as much time as the top expected-goal producers around the league creating chances and pressing opponents, as well as scoring from goals, would provide a bit more than the box is able to give.
Hence the idea “best-kept secret” is more apt as a description of his process rather than his output. He has not been the Premier League's most clinical striker; he's not been sitting on the bench. He has been one of the more persistent generators of dangerous situations.
Marco Rose could be the next beneficiary
Next up will be Marco Rose, who will replace Iraola after Bournemouth's historic sixth-place finish. Rose gets a strong forward line to compete with, with Álvaro Rodríguez added to the side, but Kroupi will be out for a few months until his foot is fit for action.
Evanilson has already given a promising pre-season indication. He netted against Augsburg and Real Betis and pulled a neat backheel in the Marcus Tavernier goal to finish off Bournemouth's second goal.
These are the nipping touches that can make a difference for a player coming off a season where they had produced less than their xG. Regression does not always occur and expected goals are not always a reality. However, tired strikers who repeatedly come into contact with high value zones tend to get another chance.
The Premier League, European football, and a new coach are Evanilson's challenges for 2026/27. He also brings a statistical case that should be given more consideration. If the pace of the finishing lines up with the movement, then the Premier League hidden gem is likely to be revealed not before long.
For Bournemouth, it's the difference-maker as the need at home and away increases in size and for opponents, it's an alarm bell that his clout could soon be too strong to ignore.
