Another Loan?
Aston Villa already have a decent enough squad list for promotion, this is something we’ve already established on MOMS , so apart from covering a major injury like Kodjia, any additional loans would have to improve the first XI.
While football supporters are increasing desperate for new signings due to the hype of the transfer window, with Villa’s current uncertain predicament in the Championship and the need to box clever in the face of FFP, the club needs to avoid unnecessary Simon Dawkins moments.
Steve Bruce to his credit, has fared well in the loan market for Villa needs, even if he says so himself.
“If we look to go down the loan route which has been really positive for us,” said Bruce, at the pre-Forest match presser.
“Even at the start of the season with Sam. Snodgrass in particular, we’ve done very well with the loan situation.
“Josh Onomah is another one.”
Those three loans have all been decent captures with Johnstone coming of age, Snodgrass being a regular contributor and Onomah’s raw talent offering sparks, if not consistency.
Bruce said this week he is close to bringing in one or two more loans.
One mooted one is Leonardo Ulloa, which may prove a waiting game, as Leicester City see how the chips land in the rest of the transfer window. (Update: Ulloa looking destined for Crystal Palace).
The other is Axel Tuanzebe, a 20-year-old who is known as a centre-back, but can play elsewhere in defence and midfield.
What’s the Point?
While Bruce wasn’t naming any names, you have to question what is the purpose of getting in someone like Tuanzebe.
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Tuanzebe has made eight appearances for United, including three this season, but while the Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho, speaks highly of the player, taking a punt on him in terms of regular first team football has been another matter for obvious reasons.
Mourinho is reported to see Tuanzebe as a right-back in the immediate future, although he’s lined-up this season in a back three.
So, the big question is, what is the point of him joining Villa on loan?
The idea of any loan from a United POV is to see their player get the regular game time he can’t get at Old Trafford.
Do Villa need another centre-back?
Well, not really, unless you consider Tuanzebe an upgrade on James Chester or John Terry. Also, due to his lack of experience, you’d also favour Tommy Elphick and Chris Samba above him, at this stage of the season.
Do Villa need another right-back?
Are you kidding?! We’ll soon be close to double figures in terms of players that can play in the position.
Tuanzebe could potentially fill in at midfield at DM.
With promotion at stake though, now is not the time for experimenting, surely Mile Jedinak and Glenn Whelan (and Birkir Bjarnason) are good enough in this division to see us through.
It’s hard to see the immediate worth of where Tuanzebe would fit in to make a loan move a positive one for himself, Villa and United.
Also, what about Villa’s own highly-rated young centre-back, Easah Suliman?
The 19-year-old England youth international is very composed on the ball and arguably could play in the same positions as Tuanzebe.
Surely he should have priority, if it’s simply a case of having a squad player around to cover injuries.
One criticism of Villa’s transfer policy has been the approach of stock-piling of players, rather than getting in players specifically with the view to form an actual team.
Tuanzebe would certainly raise a questions mark in that respect.
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One of the biggest problems we have had for the last few seasons is the hierarchy of the club allowing a succession of managers to bring in yet more players without getting rid of others. This is not only essential to balancing the books but to ensure players are not still collecting huge wages and creating a poor influence in the dressing room and club. As well as the silly amount of players on loan, that we are paying part wages for, you can see the attitude problems with the Peterborough and Middlesborough performances. Also it has given the managers far too much choice so they are unable to get the best out of what they have got and allowing them “time to bed the players in”. We have a ridulous amount of midfield players 11 plus 2 out on loan plus younger players. Dump Onomah now please. We have 3 teams of defenders. Maybe a striker would be useful for the bench. Manage what you have Villa and you may see success. If I was an opposition manager I would love to loan players to the villa. Either to dump crap at a nice profit or to develope them on to hugely increase their value, ie Johnson. Win win for them. Be astute villa.
Good point about Suliman & I’m worried that he’ll be like Gary Cahill playing for another top team . I was also perplexed over a recent comment that Bruce had not had a proper look @ Suliman playing
As for Tuanzebe playing CB & Midfield with our fitness issues maybe Bruce sees him as a Jedi replacement ??? He could also perhaps be a slot in if Elphic along with Bjarnason are used as cash cards to solve our lack of funds to buy players for elsewhere in squad
Good article and agree I can’t see that we need to loan another defender it’s one position where we have loads of cover especially as Elphick has clicked into gear , striker yes essential ASAP for me. Looks like Hogan up front on his own today so good luck to him he has the ability and I would like to see him come good.