With the latest news centred around Manchester United’s ongoing pursuit of Jack Grealish, Villa will likely to be exploring alternatives in the event of any breakdown of crunch talks due imminently.
This has included a raft of transfer rumour concerning reinforcements over recent weeks throughout the squad, including efforts to identify targets in order to mitigate any loss of our marquee player.
There has been increased speculation concerning Milot Rashica. The Kosovan born winger was left out of Werder Bremen’s recent friendly, fuelling the belief that the 24 year old is on his way.
Said Benrahma is a name who has been linked to Villa repeatedly throughout recent transfer windows. Villa opted to explore other options last summer (signing the likes of Trezeguet) whilst having to contend with utilising a £140 million transfer budget as part of a squad over-haul.
Whilst the Algerian midfielder appeals, despite having missed out on promotion with Brentford, he does have many Premier League suitors. This not only adds competition for his signature but risks over-pricing any deal as multipe clubs scramble ahead of the campaign restarting in just a matter of weeks.
Villa have been linked also with Brazilian Emi Buendía, but it’s his team-mate Todd Cantwell who is the latest name to appear.
Cantwell is an interesting footballer who stood-out in a Norwich side that looked ill-equipped for Premier League survival. Villa are reported to be ‘weighing up a bid’ for the creative midfielder who scored seven goals and contributed two assists throughout the Canaries single season back in the top-flight.
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Cantwell could prove useful, offering a bit more midfield strength than an out and out winger. Possibly a good option down the left if, say, Rashica’s signing is confirmed and he reverts back to his old right winger role.
If Grealish stays, maybe Smith would see Cantwell as his fourth source of goals without diminishing the midfield too much. Grealish’s move to the left flank was primarily to address the weakness we had in midfield. It became clear we could not operate with the skipper, two wingers and Wesley with only two proper midfielders behind the four.
I do wonder whether Matt Cash is being viewed as a right back, right midfielder or both. Perhaps, the manager is trying to introduce a bit more versatility and flexibility into the side?
I wouldn’t sign Cantwell, unless we have lots more money than I think and Jack is off.
I would love to see a front three of Rashica – Edouard – Benrhama with SJM – Douggie L – Jack behind them. Back up Trez – Watkins – Eze and in midfield Swift – Hayden – Eze/Ramsay.
Other signings would be Cash and Henry.
This would require a lot of offloads to create the space and reduce the net spend: Kalanic, Nyland, Bree, Elmo, Taylor, Hourihane, Nakamba, Lansbury, El Ghazi, Jota, Wes, Samatta, Hogan, Davies and Green. Some of these could be used in part-ex e.g. Elmo and/or Bree and possibly Lansbury plus cash to Forest for Cash; Jota, Davies/Samatta, Taylor and possibly Hourihane plus cash to Brentford for Benrhama, Watkins and Henry.
I reckon all doable for a net spend of £80-90m which we are rumoured to have.
Playing Grealish in a midfield three leaves us just not strong enough to compete in the Premier League. It highlights the very problem with Jack. Yes, he is talented and creative, but he isn’t combative enough as a midfielder, does not go beyond the front man enough as a number 10 and, yet doesn’t really fulfil the standard winger’s role. As a wider free roaming player in a front three, he seems to fit well, which also seems to be the conclusion Smith has settled on.
I agree plenty could and should be moved on, but who wants half of them? Another Villa failure – we usually let contracts expire or, in McCormack’s case, pay him off.