Stan Collymore believes high-flying Aston Villa are reaping the rewards for hiring sporting director Johan Lange while admitting he was wrong about new goalkeeper Emi Martinez, speaking to The Mirror (20 October, page 53).
The Midland giants may have survived their first season back in the Premier League but, on reflection, how many of previous sporting director Suso Garcia Pitarch’s signings can be considered a success?
Villa spent more than £100 million on new faces in 2019/20 alone.
And, while Tyrone Mings, Douglas Luiz and Ezri Konsa have shone in claret and blue, Mbwana Samatta, Wesley Moraes, Marvellous Nakamba and arguably Matt Targett have failed to live up to their lofty price tags.
Suso was sacked in July and his replacement, former Copenhagen chief Lange, has played a major role in the construction of an exciting, hungry Aston Villa side that has won all four league games in 2020/21 to sit second in the table.
And Collymore feels a man who helped bring Ross Barkley, Emi Martinez, Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash to Villa Park shouldn’t go unnoticed.
“The man who deserves the most praise right now is Johan Lange,” says the former Villa striker.
“Lange has recruited very, very well. Cash, Watkins, Barkley and Martinez are all 9/10 signings.”
Collymore admitted he had his doubts about the £20 million signing of Martinez, despite the Argentine’s stellar showings for Arsenal during last season’s FA Cup triumph.
It’s fair to say he’s changed his mind.
“I’m happy to say my reservations about (Martinez) have gone already. I wasn’t sure why someone who wasn’t good enough to be Arsenal’s number one would be good enough for the job at Villa.
“But he has been exceptional.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
