Frederic Guilbert has been discussing his future as the Aston Villa ace continues to impress on his loan spell at Strasbourg.
The 26-year-old has made nine Ligue 1 appearances so far this season, offering defensive solidity to the French side while also chipping in with one goal and three assists. He did though get sent off last time out and will now serve a suspension.
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For the most part, it appears as though the loan spell has been a successful move for him, and so it’s unclear at this stage whether or not it will be enough for him to earn a second opportunity to impress at Villa.
Ahmed Elmohamady’s current contract is set to expire this summer and as things stand, the expectation is that the veteran will move on.
That leaves a lack of quality depth and competition for Matty Cash at right-back, and so there is an argument in favour of Guilbert staking his claim next season.
Based on his comments below, it certainly sounds as though he’s open to the idea of returning to Villa Park this summer.
“I think my first season was pretty good,” Guilbert said on social media in a Q&A session, as reported by BirminghamLive. “It’s not for everyone to play so many games in their first year. The club signed Matty Cash for £16 million in the transfer window.
“That’s a hell of a lot of money and he’s a good player. It’s the manager’s choice – you have to accept it and fight to play. If it doesn’t work and, if I have to leave, then I will leave.
“Yes I like it here (Strasbourg). I’m a Villan and proud of it, now the truth of today is not tomorrow’s. Only the future will tell us.”
If he’s willing to fight for his place and try to leapfrog Cash in the pecking order next season, it seems like an obvious solution for Villa rather than go out and buy another right-back.
However, much will depend on what Guilbert’s preference is and so we’ll have to wait for the answers once the season is over.