congratulations to Aston Villa Football Club, who yesterday achieved promotion back into the English Premier League.

As ever for newly promoted teams, a good summer recruitment policy is essential if you’re planning on staying up.

The money that the TV deal gives you in the top flight allows clubs like Villa the opportunity to spend a bit more on transfer fees and it opens up more opportunities when it comes to attracting a better calibre of player.

In recent days, The Villains have been linked with £10m move (Source The Scotsman) for Liverpool wideman Ryan Kent.

The former England youth international enjoyed a loan spell in the Scottish Premiership last season with Glasgow giants Rangers, who want to hold onto the twenty-two year old.

Gers manager Steven Gerrard is a big fan of the Reds younsgter but he told the BBC that it’s going to be tough to keep him as interest is growing:

“Ryan knows we want him but we have to be respectful that the kid has a big decision to make,” 

“I’m sure there are clubs queuing up for him because he’s a top player.”

If Villa are indeed interested in the winger, then with their promotion and their spending power you’ve got to make them favourites for the players signature.

So what would the be getting for their money if they were to sign Kent?

Well the player showed in Scotland that if he’s got a manager that’s got confidence in him then he can become a consistent threat.

Gers boss Gerrard allowed Ryan a few games to get used to the Rangers playing style but as soon as he smartened up he became one of the club’s best players in the 2018-19 campaign.

He was a player that seemed to come alive in the bigger games, and was particularly important in the two Rangers wins over Celtic. His pace and direct play caused Swedish international full-back Mikel Lustig no end of trouble in December and Kent provided the assist that saw Ryan Jack score the winner in that derby encounter.

His performances in Scotland saw Ryan Kent pick up the PFA’s young player of the year award.

The forward also made nine appearances in the Europa League this term and he generally did well in those ties. Again if he sees plenty of the ball then he’s a happy boy. It also shows you the trust Gerrard had in the youngster to continuously play him in the big occasions and give him such a pivotal role in the team!

As well as being direct, good on the ball and having pace Kent also works hard for the team when they don’t have the ball. He’ll work diligently and track back when needed. That could be the kind of work ethic Villa gaffer Dean Smith is looking for in new recruits as they prepare for life in the Premier League.

The player has shown during his loan spell that he has become more reliable, that he works hard for his teammates and enjoys the big games. He also has the ability to either stick to the touchline or come in off the wing and like up with the midfield or the strikers.

But as you’d expect from a twenty-two year old wide player, he’s still not the finished article.

I don’t think he has the necessary skill-set to break into Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team next season and it’s probably the right time for him to leave Anfield on a permanent basis. That could be seen as a positive as you could get a talented young British player for a decent fee.

Ryan scored six times in forty-three games for Rangers and he should’ve had more. He needs to work on that and become more ruthless when chances arrive. He also needs to provide more assists too.

i think he could make those improvements at Villa Park but only as long as Dean Smith gives the player plenty of minutes on the football pitch.

Steven Gerrard has shown that to get the best out of Ryan Kent then you need to have faith in the youngster and make him a focal point in the starting eleven.

Posted on May 28th, 2019 by scott
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