Former Premier League player John Obi Mikel is reportedly close to signing for Tony Pulis at Middlesbrough and Aston Villa should hijack the move.
Aston Villa’s defensive problems continue to mount as they are in desperate need of quality in their backline and in the middle of the park.
Sky Sports reported that Villa’s Championship rivals Middlesbrough are close to signing defensive midfielder John Obi Mikel as they look to secure a top-six finish.
One thing that can not be disputed is that Boro manager, Tony Pullis knows a defensive-minded player when he sees one, whether they are a younger player or experienced player in Mikel’s case.
But should Dean Smith hijack their move for Mikel, who would add much-needed bite to Villa’s midfield, with a number of players struggling to prove their worth.
The likes of Conor Hourihane, Birkir Bjarnason and Glenn Whelan have played the number six role under Smith, but no-one is able to cement their place in the starting XI, nor prove they are good enough for that spot.
Whilst the 31-year-old may not be a long term option, in terms of quality and from a financial aspect, he would be an upgrade on a number of players the club currently has on their books.
During his career, Mikel has won two Premier League titles and the Champions League, both during his time at Chelsea, so he fully understands how to perform under pressure.
Not only that, in recent months, Villa have lacked the ability to do the basics right and read the defensive side of the game, something Mikel can do in his sleep.
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