Any player in an Unai Emery team must be capable of thriving not only in their preferred role but in a number of other ones too.
Versatility is a key attribute demanded by the Aston Villa boss.
Ezri Konsa, for instance, remains a centre-half by trade but impressed Emery while stepping in at right-back last season. Moussa Diaby, the most expensive signing of the Spaniard’s era so far, arrived as a winger but has played arguably his best football in claret-and-blue as something more akin to a number ten.
And, when striking a deal for Middlesbrough youngster Morgan Rogers during the January window, it’s telling that Emery highlighted the 21-year-old’s ability to play in a variety of attacking roles as one of the main reasons why the fleet-footed forward was snapped up.
“He’s being really competitive in every position I am trying to play with him,” Emery said, via The Athletic. “As a 10 number, eight number, inside or outside. He is intelligent. He understands football.
“When we analysed and we signed him, it was because we analysed his ability to adapt quickly to our structure.”
Aston Villa want Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher
If you were to rank Conor Gallagher‘s best attributes, the stand-in Chelsea captain’s ability to play as an attack-minded midfielder or a in more deep-lying spot while producing solid, reliable performances in either role would surely be somewhere near the top.
HITC understands that Aston Villa have stepped up their interest in the £50 million-rated England international. Gallagher is expected to make a decision on his future at the end of June, the former West Brom loanee frustrated with the lack of contract offers coming his way from the Stamford Bridge bosses.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, believe Gallagher is a good fit for Emery’s system. The Midland giants have now contacted Chelsea to enquire about a potential deal.
And Danny Murphy, the one-time Liverpool, Fulham and Tottenham playmaker, certainly buys into the idea that Gallagher and Aston Villa can be a match made in footballing heaven.
“From a footballing perspective, I think he would be brilliant for Villa,” Murphy tells talkSPORT (5 June, 10am), praising Gallagher’s excellent run of form at the back end of last term after shifting towards a more defence-minded position.
“Gallagher has put himself in a wonderful position with his form at the end of the season. He has shown he can adapt and be comfortable in that (deeper) role.”
England international may be on the move
Aston Villa, looking to enhance their roster after sealing Champions League qualification, are closing in on a couple of eye-catching new arrivals already. Villa are expected to bring Ross Barkley back to Birmingham from Luton Town and currently lead the race for Atletico Madrid’s out-of-contract Spain international Mario Hermoso.
There is also interest in Carlos Soler and Xavi Simons of Paris Saint-Germain, as well as Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga-winning speed-machine Jeremie Frimpong.
In terms of outgoings, Morgan Sanson has gone already. Philippe Coutinho, meanwhile, is expected to return to Brazil with Vasco da Gama.
“This is not a business that only involves money, but rather a player’s connection with his home and his vision of the project presented by the club”, Vasco director Pedro Martins tells O Antagonista.
“Philippe Coutinho demonstrates a great desire to re-join Vasco. An aspect that we consider decisive for the progress of negotiations.”
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