Aston Villa believe Kaine Kesler-Hayden has a future in the Premier League with the youngster’s loan spell at Huddersfield Town potentially set to be cut short in the January transfer window, according to The Athletic.
Now, a relegation battle in England’s second tier may not be the ideal learning environment for a young player still at the very beginning of his footballing journey.
If graduating from youth-team football is leaving the Shire, and becoming a Premier League regular is arriving at Mount Doom, then Kesler-Hayden is barely at Bree.
The Birmingham-born 20-year-old has started just six Championship games since joining bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield over the summer. So; Mark Fotheringham. What’s bothering him? That is the question on the lips of Villa supporters, with Kesler-Hayden in and out of the Terriers’ team.
Aston Villa’s Kaine Kesler-Hayden could have Huddersfield Town loan spell cut short
The good news is that, in recent weeks, the England u20 international is starting to feature more regularly under the new Huddersfield boss, starting in last week’s Yorkshire derby defeat to Sheffield United.
“Me and Kaine have been chatting about that recently,” the former Hertha Berlin assistant explains.
“Kaine’s got a really good understanding of when he plays and when he doesn’t play. He doesn’t get too disappointed.
“That’s what happens with young players. He’s going to play games and he’s going to be out (of others). Whenever he’s come in, he’s been ready and he’s finding a level of consistency in his performances. It’s very pleasing for me. I’m hoping he can continue to build on that.”
Whether he can, of course, depends on whether or not Kesler-Hayden is still at the John Smith’s Stadium in 2023. Aston Villa, The Athletic say, are considering whether or not to cut his loan spell in West Yorkshire short in January.
‘I’m delighted with Kaine’
Villa believe Kesler-Hayden ‘can become a Premier League player in the future’. There are also a number of Championship clubs queuing up, in case the 2021 FA Youth Cup winner becomes available again in the winter.
Kesler-Hayden has, so far, made just one first-team appearance for Aston Villa. He impressed former boss Steven Gerrard in pre-season, however, and the likely departure of Frederic Guilbert could open up a place for him in Unai Emery’s squad at some point in the near future.
“I’m delighted with Kaine,” Gerrard said after the friendly win over Brisbane Roar. “I thought he played with quality. And it was his moment of quality which led to the goal (for Cameron Archer).
“What (Kesler-Hayden and Archer) are doing is they’re sending messages to more experienced people. There’s a fight on from now (for their starting place). They’ve given me serious things to think about and that’s the reason why I’m here.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
