One of the profitable mortgage spells in recent times for Aston Villa has been that of Tammy Abraham, who joined the membership for a season-long mortgage from Chelsea. He was a pivotal determine of their promotion success again within the 2018/19 marketing campaign, serving to the Villans return to the Premier League after three years within the Championship.
That season, Abraham scored 26 objectives and grabbed three assists in 40 appearances throughout all competitions. That included an important purpose within the playoff semi-final first leg in opposition to West Bromwich Albion from the penalty spot, which was important in serving to Villa to succeed in the ultimate.
Now, Villa might be doubtlessly cashing one other Chelsea attacker on mortgage, who could be hoping he could be as profitable as Abraham was throughout his time at Villa Park.
Aston Villa focusing on Chelsea star
The participant in query right here is Chelsea’s Portuguese ahead Joao Felix. It has not fairly been the return to Stamford Bridge he may need anticipated, and there’s now an opportunity he may depart the membership throughout the January switch window.
According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, the Villans are believed to be “monitoring” the previous Benfica star’s state of affairs. As per talkSPORT, the West Midlands outfit may swoop in and try and signal him on mortgage.
Nonetheless, they aren’t the one facet throughout Europe aiming to signal the ahead on mortgage earlier than subsequent week’s switch deadline. Reports in Italy additionally declare that Serie A giants AC Milan are contemplating a late transfer for the Portuguese star on a brief deal.
Why Felix could be a superb signing
Apparently, Felix isn’t the one Chelsea participant who Villa wish to usher in on mortgage. In a separate report, Romano states that the Villans have agreed private phrases with defender Axel Disasi, who ‘insists on becoming a member of’ the membership. It is a deal that would have an effect on the switch of Felix.
It has not been a easy trip for Disasi since becoming a member of the membership in 2023 from Ligue 1 facet AS Monaco for £38.8m. He has played 61 times however has been out and in of the crew this season. In actual fact, talkSPORT presenter Andy Jacobs described his time at Stamford Bridge as far as a “catastrophe”.
Properly, with that in thoughts, is it actually value Villa singing the Frenchman as a substitute of bringing Felix to the membership? The Portuguese star has lengthy been a “dream goal” for Villans boss Unai Emery, and there’s no doubt he possesses high quality.
He made a return to Stamford Bridge after a mortgage spell within the second half of the 2022/23 marketing campaign. Chelsea paid Atletico Madrid £46.3m, with Conor Gallagher becoming a member of the La Liga facet as a part of the deal.
It has definitely not been a straightforward marketing campaign for Felix, but he has nonetheless proven flashes of brilliance for the Blues. He has seven objectives and two assists in 20 appearances for the club, together with a strike on his second debut for the membership in opposition to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Competing in opposition to Cole Palmer for a spot within the facet isn’t simple, and Felix has not been given a lot of an opportunity within the Premier League. The Englishman has 14 objectives and 6 assists in 23 Premier League games this season. With that being mentioned, the previous Atleti star generally is a “pleasure to look at” when in full movement, as football statistician Statman Dave put it.
One factor Felix will convey to Stamford Bridge is versatility. The Portuguese star can play in a large number of positions, maybe excelling as a second striker but additionally having the ability to play out large. That has definitely been on present this season.
|
Felix report by place for Chelsea in 2024/25 (min 45 minutes performed) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Place |
Video games |
Objectives |
Assists |
|
Second striker |
7 |
1 |
0 |
|
Attacking midfield |
5 |
4 |
1 |
|
Left-wing |
3 |
0 |
1 |
|
Centre ahead |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Proper-wing |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Stats from Transfermarkt |
|||
Maybe cancelling the mortgage transfer for Disasi, who has struggled to adapt to Engish soccer, and making a transfer for Felix, is a brilliant factor to do for Villa. The Portugal worldwide has proven simply how good he could be on the highest stage.
Felix might be an enormous difference-maker for Emery this season, and given he’s a participant the Spaniard loves, a minimum of a mortgage transfer absolutely is smart.
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