Marvelous Nakamba has made an ‘outstanding’ start to life at Luton Town after leaving Premier League outfit Aston Villa on loan during the January transfer window, Hatters coach Rob Edwards tells Luton Today.
Marvelous by name, ‘marvellous’ by nature.
On his first start for play-off chasers Luton Town, Nakamba looked every inch an £11 million midfielder plying his trade in the second tier. There were four tackles and a further four interceptions during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Coventry City; Nakamba producing some of the best defensive statistics seen anywhere in the Championship this term on his full debut (WhoScored).
Aston Villa sent Marvelous Nakamba on loan to Championship outfit Luton Town
“I thought he was marvellous!” Edwards quips, his Luton side now up to fourth and looking to secure a top-six place for the second season running. “I did, I thought he was great.
“I wasn’t sure how long he was going to play. But he’s like a Duracell battery, he just kept going and going and going and going and going.
“I thought he was outstanding. (Nakamba) covers the pitch so well, smells the danger and then he’s really calm with the ball. I’m delighted with him.”
Nakamba was one of a number of fringe players who departed Villa Park last month, following Frederic Guilbert and Morgan Sanson out the door after falling out of favour under Unai Emery. Nakamba arrives at Kenilworth Road, then, with a point to prove. Maintain that ‘outstanding’ start, however, and the prospect of Luton joining Villa in the Premier League cannot be ruled out.
‘I am really grateful to Luton’
“Life happens and now is the time to get back (into playing regularly),” Nakamba tells the BBC, rueing a serious injury which proved to be the beginning of the end of his Aston Villa career back in late-2021.
“The injury came up after I had been player of the month. I am really grateful to Luton for giving me the chance. I’m going to give everything and always be positive.
“It was up to me to be alert, and to be ready for counter-attacks (against Coventry). I am looking forward to helping the team achieve the project. I like the intensity of the Championship and there are a lot of games here.”
With just 30 goals conceded in 30 matches, Luton already have one of the best defensive records in the division. Nakamba’s arrival, then, feels like a classic case of improving from a position of existing strength.
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