Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has key decisions to make this month in the transfer market, and he’s confirmed two players who may well move on.
Aside from trying to find the perfect balance in the squad to allow us to continue to compete at the highest level on multiple fronts, Villa also have to remain within FFP parameters to avoid falling foul of regulations and risking UEFA action.
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It’s a difficult balancing act for many clubs, and we’ve seen Villa take steps already over the past year to offset our spending with sales of youth products, while we continue to strive to improve and expand our commercial capabilities to increase our revenue off the pitch.
However, speaking to the media on Friday, Emery conceded that there will need to be exits first before we’re able to bring in new signings, and the Villa boss went as far as to confirm two names that are free to move on this month if suitable offers arrive.
“Some players can leave, for example two players, Bertrand Traore and Calum Chambers and in case that situation happens we can think to add one or two players in the squad,” Emery told the media, as per VillaTV. “The players we have now, we want to help and support right now.
“Of course, always we are going to try and improve our squad. There are two players, I told you, can leave. Others maybe can also leave but right now it is not so clear. With Chambers and Traore, their situation is clear. The possibility to sign players to replace them, we are analysing players to do that.”
From the perspective of the players, it’s hopefully appreciated by them the level of honesty and transparency from Emery to inform them that it’s likely best for all concerned for them to move on, but it remains to be seen if solutions can be found for the pair.
What is clear is that it makes sense for both to leave given their limited roles, with Chambers making just three appearances so far this season, totalling 178 minutes of football, while Traore has featured six times, but has played for just 43 minutes.
Villa have added quality and depth in those areas of the squad under Emery to push them further down the pecking order, and with the expectation that their respective situations won’t change any time soon, it’s the right call to move them on if possible.
That will be the key factor though, as given their limited playing time and contract situations, with Traore’s deal set to expire this summer while Chambers has 18 months remaining, it’s unclear if there will be sufficient interest to start, and particularly whether or not any interested parties are willing to offer what we want in order to green light exits.
Naturally, removing the duo from our wage bill will be important in itself, but ideally we can secure transfer fees too which might allow Emery to strengthen with new faces this month.
President of Football Operations, Monchi, his staff and Emery have an important challenge ahead, as after all that is considered, we must continue to identify and sign players capable of significantly improving us and taking us closer to achieving our objectives while always being wary of our short-term and long-term FFP situation.
“We are trying to keep to financial fair play while holding on to the best players in our squad,” Emery said, as per BirminghamLive. “But of course we are not closed off to selling someone if a very good offer comes in. And it gives us the possibility to improve our FFP position. But we are going to work with respect to the rules. However we must be sure we do not lose our potential as a team – even if we have to sell some players.
“It is dangerous sometimes when you sell some players just to have money in your pocket. Because then, maybe, you are not being patient and maybe it will be difficult to replace them while remaining successful.
“You need to be clinical with that money. This is the reason I prefer to believe first in the players we have. Of course, we are going to accept and respect the FFP rules – we get it. We are going to be intelligent and smart and demanding. We are not going to lose our potential to keep improving.
“They (the owners) are responsible. We meet with them and we have to accept the rules. And of course, they are very excited and they are very happy with how we are working together and how they invested here in Aston Villa four, five years ago.
“They want to invest more and more but accept the rules and accept financial fair play. We are trying to be intelligent in our transfer windows. We are trying to improve our squad with some players and if we can’t do it now, we can think of the next transfer window in the summer.”
It also perhaps reiterates the importance of being successful this season too, as there is little doubt qualification for the Champions League, in addition to the benefits of the league position finish that would be needed for that and potential success in the Europa Conference League will all contribute to making our FFP situation more manageable.
Further, it would also potentially leave us capable of avoiding any unwanted sales by generating more revenue, and so Emery, as is often the case, is right to emphasis the importance of focusing on improving and developing what we already have as much as possible to ensure this season is a success.
