While Aston Villa assess the transfer market and prioritise outgoings this month, it’s reported that Real Betis winger Jesus Rodriguez has emerged as a transfer target.
The expectation is that Marcus Rashford will not return to us after his loan stint last season, and while it remains to be seen if there will be any further outgoings in relation to our attacking options, that already emphasises the need to add something in the final third.
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Although the likes of Morgan Rogers and John McGinn can shift across to the left flank if needed, it’s not their most impactful position in the team, and so there will be a high level of responsibility on Jacob Ramsey in that role next season as things stand.
Villa could be looking to address that this summer though as it’s reported that we’ve started talks with Betis over the potential signing of Rodriguez, as evidently Unai Emery, Monchi and our recruitment have been alerted to his talent and believe that he could prove to be an excellent fit in our squad.
The 19-year-old has come through the youth ranks at Betis and made a positive impression at that level, while he has since gone on to make 32 appearances for the first-team, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
Although he’s capable of playing on the opposite flank too, he has predominantly been used as a left-sided winger who can go both ways either to the byline or cut inside onto his preferred right foot, and despite his age, he’s developed into a physical attacking player who possesses technical quality, creativity and an eye for goal to emerge as a top talent in Spain.
Rodriguez is currently representing the U21s at the European Championship this summer, and he’ll hope to make his mark at international level now too as he continues to emerge as an exciting prospect.
Perhaps it’s a lazy comparison to an extent, but watching how he dribbles with the ball and attacks with a directness that will cause full-backs plenty of problems in the coming years, there are a lot of similarities between him and Betis legend Joaquin, as he has a big frame but combines it with the athleticism and skill needed to take defenders on and create dangerous openings.
When considering his fit for Villa, it would give us pace and a direct runner in the final third who can pick up possession in deeper areas and drive forward, and with our desire to play with tempo further up the pitch or catch teams on the counter, his attributes would certainly suit Emery’s preferred style of play and system.
Given his age and inexperience, there is still a lot of development and improvement to come from Rodriguez, and time will tell if that process continues in a Villa shirt from next season onwards.
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