Aston Villa keen on £21m Gomez upgrade

Aston Villa’s marketing campaign bought off to a flyer as Unai Emery masterminded victory over West Ham United of their Premier League curtain-raiser.

Many onlookers may have their reservations for a facet which have taken a major step of their growth by qualifying for the Champions League earlier than the summer season, doubtful over their capability to outlive the trials and tribulations of a rigorous, multi-focused marketing campaign.

However Villa have showcased their rising high quality as a behemoth of English soccer, and with another signing, they is perhaps a monster to be feared…

Aston Villa switch information

That remaining signing could effectively arrive within the type of a full-back, with The Athletic reporting that Aston Villa maintain an curiosity in Liverpool defender Joe Gomez, with Anfield’s longest-serving first-teamer assessing his choices.

However a number of golf equipment have an interest within the Liverpool dynamo and it is perhaps smart to show towards another possibility. Fortunately, Villa are additionally Feyenoord star Lutsharel Geertruida, who would possibly simply be the actual deal.

In accordance with Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad – relayed by Soccernews – Monchi is trying to signal Geertruida this month, with the 24-year-old among the many standout performers below new Liverpool boss Arne Slot final time period.

The Netherlands worldwide – who is alleged to be ready to see ‘which golf equipment are prepared to take motion’ – has stepped into the ultimate yr of his contract, and whereas RB Leipzig have additionally proven an curiosity, the Premier League facet could effectively maintain the benefit.

With Geertruida valued at €25m (£21m), Leipzig are struggling to cough up the dough and would possibly have to money in on a squad possibility first, leaving Emery’s unit in pole place to finish a swoop.

What Lutsharel Geertruida would convey to Aston Villa

Principally a right-back, Geertruida has impressed by his positional fluidity over within the Dutch Eredivisie, taking part in an important function in a trophy-laden interval in Feyenoord’s current historical past.

The athletic defender has additionally been identified to characteristic in central defence and even in a holding midfield function, together with his robust ball-playing high quality enabling success throughout a spread of roles.

Certainly, as per FBref, he ranked among the many high 2% of positional friends within the Eredivisie final season for objectives scored and move completion, the highest 10% for passes tried and the highest 4% for progressive passes per 90, emphasising the form of technical high quality that Emery would welcome to the fold.

Furthermore, Geertruida excelled in drifting infield final season, which was a requirement in Feyenoord’s system. The 6 foot 1 star’s capability to function in several areas and showcase numerous components of the ball-playing craft speaks volumes of his suitability below Emery’s wing.

His press resistance and safety on the ball are little doubt arresting components for the Villa supervisor, however his roundedness and high quality in defensive phases would possibly simply see him arrive within the Midlands this month, introduced in forward of fellow goal Gomez.

How Geertruida compares to Joe Gomez

There isn’t any doubt that Gomez is a proficient defender, and, furthermore, tried and examined within the Premier League. His “renaissance” – as famous by author Joel Rabinowitz – was fantastic to witness for Reds supporters final season, but it surely did underline previous issues which may dissuade Emery and his switch group.

The England worldwide additionally bears an harm file that leaves lots to be desired, recorded to have missed 245 matches as a consequence of harm/sickness all through his Liverpool profession.

Like Geertruida, the 27-year-old is a flexible defender, taking part in throughout the backline below Jurgen Klopp final season and incomes a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad in consequence, although he did not characteristic.

However he was culpable of a glut of poor performances all through Liverpool’s 2022/23 season, even branded as “completed” by Liverpool podcaster Graeme Kelly after the ultimate sport of the marketing campaign, as Liverpool drew 4-4 to relegated Southampton.

Having misplaced Klopp’s belief beforehand and been unused for 9 of the ultimate ten matches earlier than that Saints present, it did appear like his time on Merseyside was up.

His resurgence has spoken loudly on his character and resolve, however Emery is perhaps eager to form his outfit with an up-and-coming expertise in Geertruida – particularly contemplating that FSG have transfer-listed Gomez for round €40m (£34m).

When collating Gomez and Geertruida’s metrics from the 2023/24 season, what can we verify? Each are clearly blessed with that ‘full’ skillset that’s oh-so coveted over on English shores, however Geertruida outstrips his positional peer within the duel, creatively and from an athletic standpoint.

In fact, the Premier League would characterize a giant step up for the participant, however Villa would provide a secure platform from which to construct future success.

BBC pundit Alan Shearer has additionally famous that Gomez “makes too many errors”, and so when bringing all of the sides collectively, maybe it might be smart to maneuver for Feyenoord’s proficient ace, who would relish the prospect to show himself within the Premier League.

Analyst Ben Mattinson has hailed the Dutchman as “a pivotal participant for Slot’s title-winning Feyenoord group“, and now he has the prospect to translate his qualities to England, the place he would possibly simply show to be the dynamic defender that Emery must shore up his backline and make sure that success is discovered throughout a number of roads this yr.