Aston Villa reportedly considered bringing in both Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Izzy Brown from Chelsea this summer.
The Chelsea pair were in Steve Bruce’s transfer plans, but Villa could not get a deal over the line.
And the news that the double-swoop wasn’t possible could be a blow to Villa.
The claret and blues are already one of the favourites for promotion to the Championship, but the quality that Loftus-Cheek and Brown would have provided may well have secured Bruce’s side’s place in the top two.
Villa have been dealt a blow by losing Jack Grealish this week, but if they had Brown in their squad – then the loss of creativity would not have been too sorely felt.
Loftus-Cheek would also have offered strength and dynamism to Villa’s midfield ranks.
If there is one doubt about Villa’s squad it is over the average age.
Bruce has added a lot of experience to his ranks, and the gruelling Championship season is sure to test their fitness.
If Villa had the youthfulness of Loftus-Cheek and Brown in their team though, they would have had a serious increase of energy available to them.
And Villa may look back with regret, that they weren’t able to pull off a potentially promotion clinching double-swoop, if things don’t go according to plan this term.
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