Aston Villa continue to be linked with signing another striker in the summer transfer window, but would it be a sensible move for the club?
As per ESPN, Villa are said to be one of the clubs interested in Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham, a player we know well from his successful loan spell with us previously, although it could take £40m to prise him away from Stamford Bridge.
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Other names have been linked as transfer speculation ramps up ahead of the window opening, but the question has to be asked as to whether or not we have a glaring need to add more firepower to the current squad?
Much will ultimately hinge on Wesley’s recovery and fitness in the coming weeks. The Brazilian is coming back from a lengthy injury layoff which sidelined him for over a year, but it was a major boost to see him return for the senior side against West Brom last month.
If he can show that he has fully recovered and is capable of making a big impact again by offering a different threat and dynamic in the final third to Ollie Watkins, then Dean Smith and Villa have a solid back-up option in that department.
Further, Keinan Davis continues to make a positive impact off the bench for us and is a decent third option, but naturally if he doesn’t add goals to his game consistently and breaks into the side, questions will continue to be asked over his ceiling.
With that in mind, there is uncertainty at this stage as we’re one Wesley setback away from being left light in that department.
Nevertheless, what we can’t do is bring in another top striker which in turn forces Watkins to have to adapt to a different role, one which perhaps doesn’t get the best out of him.
The 25-year-old has had an excellent debut season in the Premier League, scoring 13 goals and providing four assists in 33 outings, with his movement and composure in front of goal earning him an England debut.
Further, his energy, pressing and defensive work while leading the line is absolutely pivotal to the way we play, and so having him as the focal point up front is essential.
Signing a player of the ilk of Abraham who could push Watkins out into a wider role or perhaps as a support striker could have a negative impact on what he gives us, and so Villa surely have to think very carefully about what they do in the transfer market.
Bringing in a top-level winger or attacking midfielder has to be the priority this summer, especially with Ross Barkley likely to be returning to Chelsea once his loan spell expires, while Trezeguet could be set for a lengthy spell out after suffering a serious knee injury last month.
That leaves us short in the final third, and so adding more quality with players who can produce consistently to support Watkins and Jack Grealish has to be the top assignment on the agenda this summer.
