#PLStories- Gary O’Neil on player of the year Jefferson Lerma #AFCB

Now approaching the end of his fifth season at the club, Lerma was last week crowned winner of the annual vote by supporters, pipping teammates Neto and Philip Billing to the prestigious award. It is the first time the midfielder has won the gong, after another impressive season on the pitch, which has seen him feature more than any other player in the squad. Lerma, the club’s record signing at £25million, has had his most prolific season in front of goal, scoring five times in 36 appearances. Those strikes helped earn points against Aston Villa, Fulham and Leeds United along the way to Cherries securing their Premier League safety. The 28-year-old has played under five different managers at Cherries in Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall, Jonathan Woodgate, Scott Parker and now O’Neil, all of them regularly selecting the Colombia international. Asked what it is that makes Lerma such a permanent fixture in the team, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I think his drive, his tenacity, his commitment to the cause. They are the obvious ones. “But he has quality as well obviously, you’ve seen he’s scored some important goals for us. Some real quality in them as well, the finish away at Fulham was a fantastic finish. “He’s just a guy that you know you can rely on. Especially if you’re going to be in and around the scrap, he’s someone that you want on your team. “You know what you’re going to get from him. He brings some quality, athletically still very good and has had another successful season. “Over the last five years, he’s been one of the first names on the team sheet fairly consistently.” While still not quite mastering the language, Spanish speaking Lerma has settled into life on the south coast and has made 183 appearances for the club. That included two seasons in the Championship, and could see him reach the milestone of 100 Premier League appearances at Everton this weekend. Asked what Lerma is like off the pitch, O’Neil explained: “He trains at 100 per cent, every day. “No matter what we’re doing, if you say ‘light session today, lads’, Jeff generally doesn’t take too much notice of that! “He’s still flying into people, sliding tackles. He trains with a purpose, always, which is great for the young lads to see. “It’s great as a coach as well, when you have those days where things are maybe feeling a bit flat if we’ve been on a tough run, Jeff brings a real life and determination and always grabs the day by the scruff of the neck. “He’s been key in what we’ve achieved again this year. I’m not surprised that he’s managed to pick up the player of the year.”