How Much of Gerrard’s Summer Itinerary Has Been Ticked Off?

This time last summer Steven Gerrard was preparing his Rangers side for their Champions League qualifier with Swedish side Malmö and a defence of the Scottish Premiership title.

A year on, and the former England skipper arrived back from his summer holidays with a different agenda as he prepared for his first pre-season as Aston Villa manager.

The powers that be at Aston Villa are plotting a foray into Europe in the not too distant future, and Gerrard, alongside Johan Lange and Christian Purslow will have drawn up a list of priorities to work on before the curtain raiser against Bournemouth this weekend.

So before the fun and games commence it’s time to have a look at just how well Steven Gerrard has ticked off his summer itinerary.

Dropping the anchor

Top of the list of priorities for Gerrard and Villa’s transfer mogul Johan Lange was the acquisition of a top quality defensive midfield. A distinct lack of a consistent, quality anchor in the middle of the park let Villa down time and time again last year. Marvelous Nakamba had started the Gerrard era well until he picked up an injury, whilst Douglas Luiz had frequently underperformed in a more withdrawn role. Whilst Tim Ireogbunam is one of the most promising young holding midfielders in the country, his time will come. 

Whilst names like Bissouma and Sangaré were floated, it was the French star Boubacar Kamara who Gerrard set his sights on. The Liverpudlian wooed the youngster from Marseille with a personal visit, as well as a clear vision and an attractive financial package, as Villa pinched the top prospect from under the noses of Europe’s top dogs. Plenty has been said already of his talents and so much more will be said when he lights the league up, but this is an immense improvement to a position that had proved problematic.

The club have acquired a player who is ready made for Premier League football and has the experience of performing in all three of UEFA’s premium competitions whilst, at 22, the best years of his career are still very much yet to come. This signing, alongside the deals for Coutinho and Carlos, highlights Villa’s growing standing in the game and the diligent work of those behind the scenes to sign quality players early in a window.

Verdict:

Lights, Kamara, action,  9.5/10

Chuk’d away

The second issue hanging over Bodymoor Heath was that of want-away players, and in particular starlet Carney Chukwuemeka. The talented 18-year-old played the lead role in a fabulous European Championship victory for England’s under-19’s. Despite his obvious potential, the former Northampton Town academy player had yet to really impress when given the chance at Premier League level. 

With this in mind, the head coach deemed Chukweumeka’s extortionate wage demands and requests for a guarantee of a starting berth unrealistic. The noise coming from those in the know was that ‘Carns’, as he likes to be known, had no interest in staying with the West Midlands side and was pushing hard for a move. With just a year left of on his contract, and the club refusing to be held to ransom for a young rotation player, albeit one with an extremely high ceiling, Lange and Gerrard gave the green light for the midfielder to be left at home whilst the squad jetted off down under. 

If Chukwuemeka fulfils his undeniable potential, then Villa will receive the full £20 million, with add-ons, for a player who could have run his contract down and left for a small development fee next summer, and if he does not then it will be £15 million for a player with only 13 senior appearances to his name. Either way it is a deal that makes a lot of sense for Villa who faced a particularly tricky conundrum. The club have shown they are fierce negotiators and ruthless operators, and Gerrard has reaffirmed his stance that those who are not with him on the journey will be moved aside for others who are up for the challenge. 

With a host of young stars coming through, Jacob Rasmey has proved to be the model student, biding his time, starring out on loan and working hard behind the scenes to ensure that when the chance arrived, he was ready to step up. It seems, Archer, Iroegbunam, Kesler-Hayden and Feeney are ready and waiting for their opportunity to shine. 

Verdict:

Precedent firmly set, 9/10

Stay or go?

As was alluded to previously, decisions have also had to be made on the futures of many other members of the squad. A host of players have returned from loans of varying degrees of success, whilst a number of youngsters are knocking on the manager’s door with impressive performances on the training pitch and on matchdays. 

Of those returning from loans Lovre Kalinić, Trézéguet, Conor Hourihane and Matt Targett were the obvious casualties and were swiftly moved on. There is still some work to be done, with Anwar El Ghazi, Frédéric Guilbert and Bertrand Traoré those most likely to depart after being sent to train with the under 23’s. Wesley, and a raft of Villa’s talented young stars have headed out on loan.

Douglas Luiz has often looked likely to head to Italy, with Roma amongst the interested parties, but after a brilliant pre-season, the Brazilian is now close to signing a deserved new deal on improved terms. Contract talks were also opened with Cameron Archer and the goal machine has signed a new five year deal as he looks to make a mark in the Premier League this season, whilst the veteran Ashley Young has been tied down for another year with his tutorship of the promising crop of youngsters a crucial consideration. There will still be inevitable outgoings between now and the end of the window, but the Villa squad is starting to look extremely strong and well-rounded with options in every position and the chance to play a number of formations if needed.

Verdict:

Loose ends almost tied, 7.5/10

Strongest side

Danny Ings or Ollie Watkins? Or both? Who plays alongside new man Diego Carlos at the back? Can Gerrard weave the flair and guile of Leon Bailey, Emiliano Buendía and Philippe Coutinho into the same starting side? Which midfielder misses out to facilitate the impressive Kamara? These were all questions facing Steven Gerrard and his new assistant Neil Critchley throughout the summer, and the trip to Australia has provided clarity in some instances and more confusion in others.

Despite continually impressing in cameos, it seems likely that Buendía will have to force his way into the team from the sidelines this year, with Coutinho and the resurgent Leon Bailey getting the nod. The season will start with those two seemingly either side of one striker. Whether that will be Watkins or Ings remains to be seen, but right now, after starting against Rennes, Ollie Watkins looks to have the shirt.

The picture in midfield is also starting to become more transparent. With John McGinn assuming the captaincy role in a surprise announcement and Kamara nailed down, Douglas Luiz is likely to be entrusted with the other role. The dynamic youngster Jacob Ramsey is the other obvious choice after a scintillating 21/22 season, and Sanson could yet get a chance this term, but for now Luiz, in his preferred floating role, will surely start in the middle three. Talk of another midfield arrival persists, which would further complicate the picture, but what is clear is that Villa are not short of quality options in a season where the five substitute rules could have a sizeable impact.

Tyrone Mings will perhaps feel a little disappointed to be deposed as captain, not least because it means his regular slot in defence is under fire. Ezri Konsa will only improve from his underperformance last year, whilst Calum Chambers has proved that he is a reliable figure when required. Any one of the three could yet start the season, although Mings and Chambers may miss out after only recently recovering from injury and illness respectively.

Whilst there is still a sense amongst fans that Gerrard still does not quite know his best XI, this is surely the closest he has been during his time at the club. With a nice early string of fixtures, and a strong supporting cast waiting in the wings, Villa look more prepared for the new season than they have done for several years.

Verdict:

Still tinkering for now, 7/10

Overall verdict

Gerrard now has a cohesive squad packed with talent and tactical flexibility. The transfer business has largely been done early with the possibility of one more addition late in the market. The owners and Lange have helped the manager prepare a squad that is ready to compete in the top half of the table, it is now up to Gerrard and his playing staff to perform on the pitch. After a tumultuous summer last year, this season’s serenity stands Villa in good stead as they travel to Dorset for their season opener against newly promoted Bournemouth.

 The avoidance of any dramatic sagas was largely aided by the club’s impressive handling of the Chukwuemeka transfer and the swift movement on incomings to give players time to bed in. Villans can look forward to a more consistent season with all eyes on securing that so far allusive top half finish.

8/10, but with  couple more squad players out and one more quality addition in then Gerrard can consider this a very good summer.

AUTHOR | JOEY MILLINGTON

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Author’s UTV PODCAST archive Joey Millington | UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog

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