Jaden Philogene is ‘learning and improving’ after leaving Premier League high-flyers Aston Villa for Hull City with his dizzying potential nothing short of ‘scary’.
If crafty backheels like the one Hull’s England U21 international scored to put The Tigers 2-0 up against Rotherham United last week aren’t quite your bag, then what about the finish which doubled his tally later in the same game?
Even with the sprawling goalkeeper out of the picture, Jaden Philogene still had to cope with a Rotherham defender rushing straight at him and another sprinting back to the goalline. No matter. The former Aston Villa starlet whipped the ball past the both of them, taking his tally to six for the season in the process.
Aston Villa can re-sign Jaden Philogene
“His performances say everything,” Tigers boss Liam Rosenior tells the Hull Daily Mail, Philogene silencing those who questioned the size of his £5 million price-tag.
“I think he’s enjoying his football, he’s learning and improving as well. I think he’s improved since he’s come here already. His goal (in November’s 2-2 draw with Swansea) says everything. There were times early on when he was chopping back onto his right foot. We’ve worked a lot on his left foot. He hit the ball so hard, I think the goalkeeper jumped after the ball hit the net!
“I want to work with young players because I feel I can help develop and improve them. And Jaden’s been magnificent. The scary thing and exciting thing is that he’s got so much more improving to do.”
‘Magnificent’ at Hull City’
Aston Villa, fortunately enough, had the foresight to include a buy-back clause in Philogene’s contract. According to Hull’s vice-chairman Tan Kesler, Unai Emery’s Champions League-chasers ‘have the right to buy him back for £15 million’ in the New Year.
Villa have spent the last few months looking at a number of talented widemen – Athletic Bilbao speedster Nico Williams among them – but could they instead look closer to home?
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