Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Sanson is enjoying a productive loan spell at Strasbourg, and his impressive impact hasn’t gone unnoticed.
The 28-year-old joined the French outfit on loan in January for the rest of the season, and he has since gone on to feature in eight of a possible nine Ligue 1 fixtures, providing two assists in a boost to their survival hopes this year.
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Doubts have continuously persisted over Sanson’s future in a Villa shirt, as despite joining us in January 2021 from Marseille, he made just 23 appearances for the club over two years due to ongoing injury problems and competition for places.
However, in good news for all concerned, L’Equipe have named him one of the top signings made by a Ligue 1 side in the January transfer window, such has been his impact in recent weeks, and it’s great to see him not only play regularly, but also get a chance to showcase his quality again.
Time will tell what this means for his long-term future though, as there is perhaps hope that he could earn his way back into Unai Emery’s plans moving forward if he impresses enough to warrant a spot in his squad again.
That said, the overriding feeling is that Sanson is more likely to be playing his way into a permanent move elsewhere in the summer, as his form will likely pique the interest of clubs in acquiring his services in the coming months if he maintains his current level.
Emery was clear that he valued Sanson’s attributes prior to his temporary exit, but was forthcoming in conceding that he needed to play, and that wasn’t guaranteed at Villa given the likes of Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz, John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey are ahead of him.
Villa are expected to be busy this summer in bolstering the squad and in allowing Emery to mould the group into his own to put us in the best possible position to successfully implement his ideas, and so that could ultimately see Sanson remain well down the pecking order even if he does continue to impress in France this season, if new signings arrive in midfield.
Nevertheless, with Emery also being very frank in wanting a smaller squad this season due to the fact that we’re only involved in the Premier League, with cup competitions and possibly Europe to consider next season, he’ll want to add numbers and that could open the door for Sanson again.
Could you see Sanson getting another chance at Villa if he continues to impress out on loan or has that ship now well and truly sailed?