After emerging as a surprise starter this past weekend, Aston Villa defender Lamare Bogarde gave a positive account of himself in our win over Leicester City.
It’s been quite the summer for the 20-year-old, as aside from impressing in pre-season and earning a place in Unai Emery’s squad this year, he also put pen to paper on a new long-term contract to secure his future at the club.
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It follows on from an impressive spell at youth level for us where he emerged as one of our top prospects, and it appears as though he has an opportunity ahead of him this season to become a key part of the group.
Admittedly, it was a mixed bag from the young Dutch defender on Saturday, as while he showed great maturity and composure in the first half given the context to put in a strong performance, he struggled after the break as he was booked and later couldn’t handle Stephy Mavididi in the build-up to Leicester’s goal.
Nevertheless, as far as Premier League debuts go, he put in a good shift for the team, and Emery was once again left with a positive impression of the talented youngster, who will be an important squad player this season to give us depth in key areas.
“He played comfortable,” he told the media in his post-match press conference. “We played him in pre-season and when we use young players, it is because they have the potential. When we need them they must be ready, knowing our style, idea and demands. Bogarde played good matches in pre-season, trained every day and after the injuries to Cash and Carlos, we prepared for different options to choose the players playing there. Bogarde has qualities to play there and to do well. He played well.”
Bogarde has the versatility to play as a centre-half, right-back or defensive midfielder if necessary, and so in addition to his potential and talent, that will be a useful skill to have as Emery will need different solutions as the campaign goes on.
It was somewhat of a surprise that Kosta Nedeljkovic didn’t get the nod to start this past weekend, with the 18-year-old making a great first impression himself over pre-season, and after he settled against Arsenal just over a week ago.
Perhaps Emery wanted more defensive solidity on our right side away from home against Leicester, and that in turn saw Bogarde emerge as the best option with Matty Cash now sidelined by injury for the next three to four weeks.
With Everton visiting Villa after the international break, it will be interesting to see if the young Serbian international is named as a starter given our need to have additional impetus and an attacking dynamic down our right side to prise Sean Dyche’s side open, while his pace will surely be a key factor too in our attempt to nullify their threat on the counter attack.
Speculation heavily linked us with an interest in Lutsharel Geertruida this past summer transfer window, and perhaps if we’d had the resources to land his signature, he’d be part of the squad right now.
That in turn suggests that Emery did want to strengthen his options at right-back, but after that move failed to materialise, he now has two top young talents at his disposal until Cash returns, and it’s hoped that Bogarde and Nedeljkovic can shine when used.
For Bogarde though, it’s another memorable landmark moment in what is rapidly becoming a great season for him, and he will hopefully continue to go from strength to strength in the coming months and repay the ongoing faith and trust that Emery is showing in him, as the decision to start him last weekend was a major indication of how highly he rates the Dutchman.
now let’s bring in Wilson. on the bench – on the field after 60 mins. if we ignore him, he will be gone. ned to get Philogene fit on the field. Watkins, McGinn and Bailey need to sit down for a game and reevalate what they need to do.