All ll the latest midweek news from Villa Park, including transfer news, the new 2015/2016 kits & latest rumour:
There was a telling interview with newboy Micah Richards at the Villa kit launch in which some light has been shed on Man City’s advances for club captain Fabian Delph.
Richard’s not only confirmed that Delph has asked him about Man City, but that he had provided advice to him about the pros and cons of such a move. Richards was keen to stress that he didn’t want to swing Delph’s decision – but the very fact such conversations are happening suggests that his Villa future is far from certain.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Richards said;
“It’s tough isn’t it?
"Every player wants to play at the highest level. If he’s [Delph] going to be playing Champions League… I don’t know, but if he’s going there to be a squad player, then no.
"James Milner has played six or seven positions and still wanted to leave.
"So if he gets assurances he’s going to play then the decision is his. I wouldn’t say don’t go to Manchester City, because if he’s playing well he could play.
"If you’re good enough you’ll play.
"It’s just being given that chance. If he (City manager Manuel Pellegrini) is going to give him the chance to play then it’s hard to turn down the chance of playing Champions League football.
"To be fair he has asked me what I think about the situation. I told him I can’t comment to be honest.
"I don’t want to say go there and then he (Pellegrini) doesn’t play him – he’ll be ringing me up afterwards!”
[Source]
It perhaps confirms that there is genuine interest there and the reality that whilst Delph may feel he owes a debt to Villa – the professional lure of playing and the highest level – not to mention the personal riches that could also bring – may ultimately determine him leaving.
Would this be the end for Villa? No, not by any stretch. However, it would be a further reminder of the club’s inability to hold on to it’s talent at the first whiff of a better offer.
This is not a new problem in the modern game by any means, but at what stage do clubs like Villa dig in? How often can we call teams bluff as in the Benteke release clause stand-off? Is the toxicity of keeping players who’ve have their heads turned actually beneficial to a squad if they don’t want to be there?
Many unanswerable questions; and a massive decision for Fabian Delph that may define both the player and our clubs fortunes in the near future.
As an aside – I think, think, I like Micah Richards’ comments on the issue. Whilst the club, and I imagine Delph, didn’t expect him to be so public, his views and statements are balanced and the kind you would expect any rational person to be mulling on a big offer.
This, whilst maybe not ultimately to our benefit, shows Richard’s as a thoughtful, measured type, whom hopefully we can rely upon for his honesty both on and off the field.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Villa will hold talks today with French Under-21 international Jordan Amavi. This rumour has been dragging on and on and the worry is that big hitters such as Arsenal are now beginning to circle. Villa are due to meet with Amavi and his representatives Wednesday with a view to beginning negotiations to seal a huge £9 million pound deal for the fullback who is touted for a call up into the senior French squad.
The 2015/2016 home and away kits were launched yesterday in a hyped event hosted by Jim White and streamed online [pictures here].
The home shirt is a safe and respectful edition in typical claret and blue from Macron. Whilst not everyone’s cup of tea, or indeed mosts preferred sportswear maker, the Italian company have always respected our heritage and worked to fine tune the design. This latest version is tasteful and not a massive departure from the norm.
The away kit is a bright yellow number that judging by initial reaction on social media, will be a marmite shirt. For me, at least, it harks back to classic 70′s retro Villa shirts, the early 90′s “Mitre Copiers” or the lessor remember “MG” & “DWS” yellow incarnations. Again, the colour might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think the contrast with the black & overall design is superb.
All in all, I like the design – and I really like the yellow crest – despite the cringeworthy Gabby “fingers on lips” pose…
In other news, a link to little known Uruguayan striker
has re-emerged – little has changed since earlier reports surfaced & it remains to be seen if this link to the youngster playing in Serie B has any substance.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Villa are also monitoring 22 year old FC Sion striker Moussa Konate. The youngster has impressed (22 goals in 33 games) and it’s reported that the club are keeping a watching brief in the event that the worst should happen and Benteke leaves.
The Senegalese international is also being tracked by West Ham, Tottenham & Premier League new boys Watford. If signed, Konate would join his fellow countryman Idrissa Gueye into the club, whose transfer is currently awaiting work permit clearance.