While Aston Villa have already confirmed that veteran duo Ashley Young and Jed Steer will leave the club this summer, who else may be facing an exit?
Unai Emery must strike an important balance this summer, as on one hand he’ll be looking to bring in reinforcements and mould the squad into his own, but ultimately he will also be aware of maintaining enough depth and competition to compete on multiple fronts next season.
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Villa will undoubtedly target further progression in the Premier League as well as silverware in the domestic cups, but with qualification for the Europa Conference League group stage now just a playoff round away from becoming a reality, that could make the fixture schedule next season increasingly demanding.
Both Young and Steer’s exits have been confirmed by the club, but who else faces an uncertain future in the coming weeks and months and who might Emery be tempted to consider exits for to make room in his squad to bring his own players in?
Robin Olsen
Emery was quick to defend the Swedish shot-stopper this past season, despite the fact that he conceded 14 goals in just six games across all competitions, keeping just one clean sheet.
Despite the experience and pedigree that the 33-year-old has gained from previous clubs and on the international stage, there was always an uneasy and uncertain feeling with him between the posts.
While Villa don’t need a big-name second choice goalkeeper given Emiliano Martinez’s consistency and reliability, which in turn is why Olsen is a good fit for the role, will Emery be tempted to consider an upgrade?
Calum Chambers
The 28-year-old was limited to just 17 appearances last season, 614 minutes of football in total, and while he offers depth and versatility to fill in in various roles, could we do better?
Emery will know we still have to raise the level of quality in this squad if we want to compete at the highest level, and while Chambers has been effective at times, he could be moved on if the interest is there in order for us to bring in an improved option off the bench.
Lucas Digne
With Young’s departure and Alex Moreno’s injury in mind, the pieces may have fallen in favour of Digne staying at Villa beyond this summer despite question marks previously being raised.
The Frenchman became a back-up option from January onwards with Moreno evidently Emery’s preference at left-back, and so coupled with his age [29], his touted big wages and with his contract still having three years to run on it, this could be a good time to recoup a decent fee for him.
That said, it only makes sense if Villa have a sensible target in mind to replace him. Emery has spoken this year about wanting two top options in every position, and right now, we have that at left-back, so why shuffle the pack?
Bertrand Traore
After an unexpected second chance at the club emerged in January, Traore made a decisive impact with two crucial goals in eight Premier League games.
That winner away at Leicester City won’t be forgotten in a hurry, but did he do enough to warrant an extended stay at the club or has he played his part?
Emery made no secret of his desire to bring in a right-winger in January, but things didn’t fall into place for that to happen for a priority target. Instead, he found his short-term solution in Traore, but a marquee signing could be eyed for that role now.
Philippe Coutinho
After a wonderful early impression following his loan switch from Barcelona, the Brazilian playmaker had a season to forget this year as he managed just 22 appearances, with one goal and no assists.
Injuries were a real problem for him, and so beyond the concerns over his form and effectiveness, his unreliability in terms of even being available to Emery across a gruelling campaign suggests his time is up.
Perhaps the Villa boss still feels as though he can get more out of him and wants to keep him around to provide depth, but Villa will surely be eyeing serious reinforcements to add creativity in the final third this summer and that would push Coutinho further down the pecking order. Will there be enough interest though?
Leon Bailey
After making 36 appearances this past season, and having remained in the Villa XI despite his struggles with form, it was clear that Emery values the Jamaican international highly in terms of what he offers to the team, and what he could potentially offer.
Still only 25 years of age, Bailey has a way to go to reach his peak and he’ll hopefully be stronger after another year in the Premier League. Five goals and four assists in 36 games though for a player with his quality isn’t enough.
Similarly to Traore, he could be sacrificed in order to allow Emery to bring in attacking options that suit his style and demands better, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Spanish tactician continued to show faith in him and kept him in the squad.
Leander Dendoncker
Albeit largely limited to a bit-part role last season, the 28-year-old Belgian international did make 26 appearances in total, and enjoyed a couple of longer stints in the starting line-up due to injuries.
Particularly with his experience playing in Europe and at international level, Dendoncker could be a useful option to have next year to offer competition and depth in midfield, and so there is an argument in favour of keeping him.
That said, it’s a balancing act again in terms of whether or not Emery feels as though we can bring in an upgrade and someone who is better suited to his style.
Loanees
Wesley, Jaden Philogene, Keinan Davis, Kortney Hause, Cameron Archer, Morgan Sanson, Marvelous Nakamba.
Much will depend on how much interest there is from elsewhere in terms of securing permanent exits, but there could be a few on this list that move on.
It’s hoped that Villa give Cameron Archer a chance next season to learn from, and compete with, Ollie Watkins as his understudy, as it’s clear from his latest loan spell with Middlesbrough that the 21-year-old is a real talent.
Morgan Sanson found a bit of momentum during his loan stint at Strasbourg and is arguably a player Emery could use next year with the increasing number of fixtures, and so time will tell if he has another chance at the club.
After registering two assists and a goal in 18 games, coupled with Emery noting after his exit in January that he rates him as a player but he needed games, having now had that, could he return?
Elsewhere, Wesley, Keinan Davis, Jaden Philogene and Kortney Hause are surely now all considered surplus to requirements, while Marvelous Nakamba may well be eyeing a permanent switch to Luton Town after helping them secure promotion.
Several other youngsters at the club will also face uncertain futures this summer, and so there could be a significant amount of movement both in and out of Villa as it promises to be a busy, and fascinating, transfer window for us.
Olsen definitely should be gone terrible back up keeper.
With European football on the horizon we should be trying to keep many players as possible, I don’t think it would be a hard league to do well in and the majority of the players you mentioned should do okay, hopefully he will play a few of the up and coming young players, Philogene, A Ramsey & Archer should definitely be given a chance.