Glenn Whelan has been in fine form for Aston Villa in recent weeks.
The last few weeks have provided Aston Villa fans with a glimpse of what they are going to get under the stewardship of Dean Smith once he gets his feet firmly under the table.
For the short term, Villa will be looking to push for that playoff spot, but from a realistic standpoint, the long-term future states that they may have to earn their Premier League status next season.
It is obvious that Smith will want to do it by blooding youngsters, tactically pressing high up the field, being energetic, continuously looking towards the future and playing a forward-thinking brand of football – like he has been trying to showcase since he walked through the doors of Bodymoor Heath in October.
Glenn Whelan, who is out-of-contract at the Championship club in the summer [transfermarkt], is a player that does not fit into that long-term mould.
Only a few months ago, many Villa fans would have agreed that the 35-year-old’s days in B6 were numbered, but in recent weeks, he is showcasing why he may still have enough left in the tank.
During Villa’s win against bitter rivals Birmingham City, Whelan produced an outstanding defensive performance, with his positional play, ability to win the second ball and sense the danger playing a big part as to why the away team came away from St Andrew’s with a clean sheet.
While the likes of Mile Jedinak, Birkir Bjarnason, Henri Lansbury, Albert Adomah, Neil Taylor and Ahmed Elmohamady may end up leaving in the summer, Villa should consider offering Whelan a new deal.
Of course, he wouldn’t play every week and they would still need to get a young, fresh pair of legs through the doors to play that number six role, but given his form and experience, it won’t harm Smith from keeping him in his dressing room.
There is no doubt that Villa should still look towards younger players, both through their academy and in the transfer market, but they still shouldn’t discount the experienced man because it can provide the squad with the finishing touch they need.
Giving a player of Whelan’s age a new deal may be going against Smith’s philosophy, he is one of the very few senior players Villa should look to keep on their books for next season.
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