Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has revealed that both Morgan Sanson and Kortney Hause could leave before the transfer window deadline.
Villa are expected to continue to trim the squad in the coming days and weeks with the numbers in the group perhaps a little higher than we would like and several players struggling to get a look in.
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With Diego Carlos set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury, that could change the complexion of things in defence, but Gerrard has conceded that Hause may not be an option for him as the defensive ace wants regular playing time.
Gerrard on Sanson
Similarly, the Villa boss has left the door open for Sanson to move on as well, but has praised his level of professionalism and effort as he continues to try and work his way into the side.
“Morgan’s been very professional, he’s been calm, he’s been training well but, at the same time, he’s frustrated with his game time,” Gerrard said, as reported by BirminghamLive. “I respect that, I understand that so, if something lands for Morgan that he wants to pursue, we won’t stand in his way. At the same time, he’s training well and is pushing to be back in the frame.”
Should the Frenchman move on this summer, it would be a hugely frustrating outcome. While we’re not privy to his level in training which seems to be holding him back from getting more opportunities, when he has featured he has looked a top player capable of making a big difference to our midfield.
Unfortunately though we haven’t seen enough of him, and with Gerrard preferring other options and leaving him out of the squad for the first two games of this season, it seemingly says a lot about how he sees him and how he doesn’t fit into his plans.
Gerrard on Hause
Meanwhile, when asked about the Villa defensive situation with Carlos now out, Gerrard also went on to reveal that Hause is keen on an exit to secure more regular playing time elsewhere, and so it remains to be if that move goes through and subsequently who Villa target to bolster our options in that area of the squad.
“[Adding a new centre-back] is certainly a possibility and it’s something we’re analysing,” Gerrard added. “And the reason we’re analysing it is because of Kortney’s situation and we want to be respectful to him. He’s made it quite clear he would like to go out and play regular football. All these things are on the table and up for discussions.”
Should Hause leave and combined with the injury to Carlos, that would us with Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Calum Chambers as our only senior central defensive options, and so that would surely not be enough for the season.
Gerrard on potential of further Villa signings
Additionally, Gerrard noted that there are ongoing discussions and analysis of the current squad to determine whether or not further incomings are needed, and we’ll act if the right players and deals present themselves.
“We’ll do what’s right for Aston Villa and I’ll make decisions from there. I want to try and make players happy and to try to be respectful to every individual. The priority is to make the squad as strong as we possibly can moving forward.
“If that means making an addition and the right person is available and the deal makes sense for Aston Villa we’ll have no qualms in executing that. At the same time there’s a few spinning plates and moving pieces in the next coming days while the window is still open.
“We’re still analysing the three units in our system; forward line, the midfield line and, certainly now, from a defensive point of view [given Diego Carlos injury]. We were really set in that [defensive] department but, obviously, we’re deciding and are talking now about whether we should do something there.”
