I’ve not really taken much notice of the “Benteke to Liverpool” rumours, as Liverpool don’t strike me as being quite a big enough club to entice our prolific striker.
Of course, the rumoured £100,000 a week might interest Benteke, but you have to look at Pool’s chances of achieving Champions league status next season. My money says they’ve no chance, so you then have to wonder what Benteke might achieve by going there, the wages apart.
It seems from what I’ve been reading of Liverpool fan’s opinions that they don’t think he’ll suit Liverpool’s style anyway, with the main reason being that he’s another Andy Carroll, ie a bruising strong header of the ball.
While that is of course true, we all know that it’s not the only string to his bow.
Not that I care much, because I think he’s better than Liverpool anyway.
Which brings me to the latest rumour, which is that Mourinho at Chelsea fancies the player.
I have to admit, I find this rumour more than a little worrying, as they are certainly a club that would tick all of Benteke’s boxes, with every chance of being champions next season, Champions league footy, London and of course massive wages.
While the link is pretty much totally unfounded, with nothing other than the Daily Mirror’s story to support it, it does make sense as the word is that Drogba may be on his way out, which would leave Chelsea with Costa and Remy.
Which makes you wonder where Benteke would feature in the pecking order.
I’d like to think that this might be something that could work in our favour, as I suspect he wouldn’t immediately be given an automatic starting berth.
But if Benteke wants to prove himself at the highest level, he’s not going to walk into any top club and be guaranteed a start is he?
As I’ve mentioned before, I blame Tim Sherwood for all these rumours to some extent.
He made a big mistake in saying that he wouldn’t stop Benteke leaving if the right money came in without emphasising strongly enough that it would take “stupid” money to get him. In fact, he should have just put a £100 million price on his head or just simply said “he’s going nowhere and he isn’t for sale”.
Even though we know these statements are meaningless, it just sends the right message to the fans.
Then again, I’m very mindful that Benteke was probably offered something in return for signing a new contract and a promise that we would let him leave might just have been that something.
This makes even more sense when you consider that the player’s agent suddenly changed tack in his comments, almost as though he’d been appeased.
I have a sneaky feeling that this Chelsea rumour might just have something to it and the truth is, if Benteke’s going to go there, you couldn’t really blame him. Whilst I’d be gutted, he’d go with my best wishes.
But Villa have to ensure that they get serious top dollar money for him and I’m not talking £30 million.
And Lerner had better not trouser the proceeds.
The thought of Benteke leaving quite simply scares me.
Us being linked to Austin and Adebayor is all well and good. But give me Benteke any day.
I could easily see him being ranked amongst the likes of some of our other legendary strikers at the club, if he were to stay.
I can dream can’t I?
Just bought it can’t wait anyone know how long it will take to receive it?????PayPal don’t have any info.
Beginning of July just found out
Correct Giddy 1st week of July.
I really like that shirt, but couldn’t bring myself to wear it with the Irish tricolours.
No offence to our Irish fans, but you know how it is 🙂
That design just makes you wonder what’s going on when you see some of the rubbish official shirts.
I’ve got loads of Irish mates I’ll have a pint or 2 of the black gold on ST Patricks day,wearing a shirt with the Irish flag on is small fry when the top looks fantastic.a Bangladeshi top VILLA connected if it looks smart I’ll wear it me personally badger can’t see where your coming MATE
I’ve nothing against the Irish. How could I have when God is one of my all time faves?
I don’t wear England gear, so am not really likely to wear an Irish one, that’s all.
In fact I go out of my way to not wear any shirt with a name on it, apart from the Villa shirts.
It means nothing, trust me.
Funnily enough I don’t own an England shirt & haven’t for donkeys. 😀
Don’t blame u would never put money in fa coffers it’s a corrupt as Fcuk imo
Like Giddy IV a lot of Irish mates and like you say God himself is Irish so happy to wear one
Villa to cancel Helenius’s contract. Probably best for him and Villa. Not going to get any kind of fee for him and he wants to leave.
No surprise there whatsoever a few more I’m sure will follow soon.
Tonev, Sylla etc.
Sherwood claims to have a large list of targets this summer (jokingly said Lerner’s still reading the list it’s that long). I’m expecting large changes. Says he didn’t give a list of players unrealistic or unattainable. So at least he knows what he’s doing.
I have my doubts.
He kept us up sure, but he is far from proven himself in the transfer market – if at all. If the rumors of Gil, Weimann, and Cissokho being considered for the transfer list are true, I’m not impressed. I would have thought for sure the first names on that list would be the clubs surplus big earners – Given, Bent, and N’Zogbia.
Marvin, it isn’t that simple.
All three you quote are on top money, around £56k a week (Hutton is in that ballpark too, iirc).
Who’s going to pay them the same sort of money?
We have to pay them off to get rid or keep them and use their experience as part of a balanced squad.
Having lots of kids coming through might well be good, but I wouldn’t want a squad full of kids.
There’s been nothing to suggest that any of them are anything other than good pros, so we might as well use them, imo.
Fwiw, I agree with you about Gil, Weimann and Cissokho.
Gil looks class, Weimann can’t be faulted for his effort and Cissokho is the best LB we have imo.
What is the common link that Sherwood sees amongst these three?, has to be my question.
I suspect it’s just a personality thing, myself and it’s a case of the manager just doesn’t like them, maybe because they don’t seem “up for it” enough?
I agree cissoko nothing special but still our best left bk for many a year. Gil is a mystery to me potentially the most exciting villa player IV ever seen in a villa shirt reminds me of middleboroughs Juninho we nearly signed yet Sherwood has frozen him out. We are desperate for a player like that when you get a buzz of anticipation whenever he has the ball. Sherwood needs shooting if he didn’t get him in team next season.
Plus why though? If he rates our top earners, then wouldn’t he keep them? Bent’s a free agent this summer, unless he takes a pay cut he’s gone. He seems to like N’Zogbia and Given at least. I don’t think wages currently are a problem for Villa anymore. If he likes what we have, even on the wages Given and N’Zogbia are on, then he’s going to keep them.
Maybe he doesn’t like Gil, Weimann or Cissokho? Clearly doesn’t like the first two or they’d be starting as they’re good enough too. Cissokho’s injured but he’s also nowhere near the attacking LB he likes. We’ve been linked to a few defenders, Davies, Taylor for LB, PSV’s RB Arias.
I can see the likes of Lowton, Senderos, Kozak, Weimann, Gil, Cissokho, one of Given or Guzan, Cole, Sanchez, Richardson and Vlaar leaving or at least being up for sale. Not too mention Stevens is leaving as is Herd for free, Helenius, Sylla and Tonev are likely gone. I’d also add Hutton in should be sold.
I expect at least 5 players in if they all go. 2 fullbacks, a GK, winger, striker. If not two wingers. Probably a CB as well. An AM maybe. I do expect a lot of changes, not the kind of players the media expects (young players from Spurs or the Championship). In fact it seems the Luongo links have died down massively. I still expect him but I think he’s interested in seeing Gardner. Bennett also seems to impress him enough at least to make it to pre-season friendlies.
As Sherwood said, he knows he has to get rid of players to bring them in, not because of no funds, but because there’s no room if he doesn’t. He wants his squad and not players he doesn’t want.
“We have to bring players in and make sure they are a little bit more durable than the ones brought in previously.” He also claims the squad’s unbalanced meaning there’s too many players in one position. Weimann isn’t going to be played as a striker, meaning while he produces on the wing at times, he’s not going to be at his best. Cissokho doesn’t attack well at all and Gil is oddly not thought of by him.
Think it will be an interesting transfer window!
Any ‘new’ manager will want to move some players out so that he can bring -in his own; at least Sherwood’s had a few months now to watch the squad in training and in real games – so it would hardly be suprising if he’d not formed a reasonable idea of who he wants to keep and who can be let-go.
I don’t expect to see a ‘give-away’ or ‘fire-sale’; if they receive a good offer for the likes of Weimann, [for example] then I guess he’ll be on his way; Vlaar won’t be allowed to hold the club to ransome for a new contract, nor will Bent.
However good the performances since Sherwood arrived [bar the fiasco last week] I think we need to remember that the squad at VP has hardly frightened anyone else in the division for the last few years, and it would be a bit naiive to blame that entirely on Lambert. If the owner [whoever that turns out to be] is going to allow Sherwood to ‘manage’ and give him some funds to do it with, then surely some of the present lot will be shipped out, since overall they’ve proven that they’re not really good enough to compete outside the relegation zone.
Have to give a him a chance and judge next season. By Xmas we will know for sure if he is a flash in the pan or not. I think he is but fortunately he won’t get much to spend anyway and he should keep us up so nothing to lose.
“a little bit more durable”
That’s the bit I can’t figure out.
Does Sherwood think they’re a bit lightweight?
I suspect so and think Sherwood wants more extrovert characters who can gee each other up, even when things aren’t going well.
Sherwood’s a definite extrovert, so it might make sense that he doesn’t like wallflower types?
I don’t know and it’s all guesswork, but regardless, I simply can’t understand why it seems he sees nothing in Gil, same as us all.
If I was a coach/manager, you might not say a single word in training and as long as you looked as decent as Gil has in actual game time, I wouldn’t give a toss.
Which is probably why I’m not a manager 🙂
At the end of the day, Sherwood can sell the lot, as long as he keeps producing the results, I suppose.
It’ll be a fascinating summer, that’s for sure.
I saw that ‘durable’ comment earlier and immediately assumed he meant injury-wise.
Look at how many times we managed to put out the same back-4 during this season just for starters – hardly a week went by when Villa didn’t seem to be trying to perm 4 from 3 fit players and 1 reserve/youth player!
I just read the comment to mean that he’s looking for players who’ll turn-out a week after suffering a broken nose [wearing a face-mask if necessary] or will play-on with their arms/ribs in lightweight plaster casts, rather than being out for a month after every knock…!
That’s what I was thinking, more about injuries. It’s funny people claim Vlaar’s injury prone. 19 games he’s played. Clark’s only gotten through 25, Okore 23, hell Baker’s gotten 10. (I know Baker was like 4th choice but still). All of our CB’s will suffer injuries every season, which is why we need another one. Someone… Durable. 30 games a season at least.
Andrew/Badger – I was probably taking a very old-fashioned view: players like Keown/Adams at Arsenal, or even Chris Nichol, Evans & McNaught at Villa, who always seemd to play looking as if they’d been in a front-line assault unit just a few days earlier.
The sort of players who usually managed 40+ games a season in all competitions, however cold and wet the weather, wouldn’t miss a game unless they were in traction…!
Guzan and Given are the only ones without any injury I believe. Gabby and Weimann 2nd and 3rd on 32 and 31 in the league on performances. Cleverley on 30. Only 4 players with 30 appearances or more. 25 appearances is the most from any CB. It’s crazy the amount of injuries going.
I’m probably reading too much into things Ardent and you’re probably right.
There’s no doubt we seem to have had lots of niggling injuries and it’s been an ongoing thing.
Time to make fans sad and other fans hypocrites by now liking Vlaar.
“Villa boss Tim Sherwood says he is confident he can keep the Holland international at the club.
The 30-year-old looked odds-on to walk out on a free this summer with Manchester United favourites to snap him up.
But Sherwood revealed there has been a major breakthrough in persuading the influential defender to sign a new deal.
Sherwood said: “I’ve told Ron I want him to stay and he’s said he wants to.
“So his representatives are going to talk the club and I’m confident something can be done.”
In other words, Vlaar hasn’t had a better offer? Hmm.
After Sherwood’s “durable” comment, I find this one strange.
Vlaar hasn’t exactly been an ever-present, has he?
I never thought that there’d be a huge number of ‘big’ clubs chasing him; if they were going to do it it would have been just after the World Cup last year, except that he was injured almost as soon as he came back, and ManUre didn’t make the expected move in January for the same reason.
I’m sure the scouts have been out in force watching vlaar & if they’ve seen what we have he’ll be staying.
Was never likely he was going to be offered a contract at like, United like the media thinks. Ajax at best were probably the biggest link and I don’t think he’s ready to give up on staying in England yet to go retire there. Plus as you said, Sherwood’s very much an extrovert and so is Vlaar I’d say, at least from what I’ve seen on the pitch.
I know he had a bit of a shocker against Saints, but don’t think it’s a coincidence that since he’s been back from injury we’ve had an upturn in results. Clark and Okore did look good together, but Vlaar in the back 4 does make us look more solid/manly. I may be wrong but points gained would also reflect positively.
In regards to Benteke, he has had a brilliant run in. If he does go, I’d thank him for the goals (and hopefully FA cup win) but not be too downhearted. In my opinion Austin would be a good purchase and the way we’re playing and creating chances we’re now looking like a more appealing prospect to potential forwards.
I agree on Vlaar, he’s a leader. I’m okay with him going or staying. Vlaark works well with Baker, Clark with Okore. Clark and Vlaar don’t work well enough for me and Vlaar and Okore definitely don’t. Vlaar was clearly unfit but we didn’t have a choice, he had to play. Senderos isn’t fit either.
Austin and Florian for Benteke and Kozak would be good business for us. Austin’s clearly quality. 17 goals and 7 assists at QPR is great business for him. Only has a year left so I don’t think they’ll get 15m for him. Florian’s a quality young striker, only 20, scoring goals for fun in Switzerland so the step up would do him well. 17-20m for the duo would probably be just over half what we get for Benteke, Kozak’s added 3-5m + the 35mish we got from Benteke. We’d have 20m to spend for fun just from those 2.
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11165328_359509710915328_3914532409938067555_n.jpg?oh=40fea7d65290683a020fc6753f4d5d79&oe=55C32C55
Thanks for posting that Andrew; interesting.
Should be an interesting summer. FWIW I’m for keeping Vlaar as we do need experienced players and TS obviously feels he improves the back 4 and helps with the younger players?
Don’t know about Gil. Looked good in a poor team playing badly but have we really seen enough to judge?
Would be surprised if we let Kozak go but I think Weimann will be offered an opportunity elsewhere which is fine by me. Tries hard but has not really pushed on and I would wish him well.
Next season will define our future and that of TS but Tom Fox’s comments would suggest more investment in the team for next season.
Now let’s go and win that Cup. UTV
We are losing a very promising centre forward if we let Weimann go.
He has been played out of position for the last 2 seasons. He is not a wide man. Right side of midfield – no way.
I would like him to play alongside Benteke for a while. He has a brain and makes runs into space. Gabby just has pace nothing else.
Gabby’s a bit better than just pace but yeah, Weimann’s far better than Gabby. His runs, his intelligence, finishing, crossing, passing, plays off Benteke a lot better. He’ll track back, he’s a work horse but has all the talent to do more than that, and as a CF he’d get double figures in goals and assists with Benteke with Gil and Grealish behind them.
Steve ,some credence in that, Gabby can only use pace and that’s all, cannot turn on the ball leaves himself only the option to go it alone, Weimann moves into and looks for gaps, as we all know been played out of his comfort zone over the last two season’s, he’s one I would take a long good look at, God knows as to why Gill has been treated like a alien at Villa, wish someone could enlighten us as what’s gone on.
All fair comment re Weimann but like Gill why hasn’t he been given that opportunity when we are playing two number 10’s in a diamond? Thought that would have suited Weimann’s game.
Vlaar’s supposedly a good teacher according to Sherwood. He’s a good leader. Our problem is Vlaar and Baker are best together, like Clark and Okore. I think Vlaar and Clark will be our starting 2 CB’s though which doesn’t work.
Gil’s an interesting one. Sherwood dropped the whole winger game for two AM’s in N’Zogbia and Grealish but Gil’s a natural AM. Don’t get why he’s not played but hopefully he’s sold for his own good.
I think it’d be odd to let go of Kozak. But being linked to Florian, Adebayor and I can see a few more strikers being linked, as if Kozak goes we need 2. Benteke and Gabby are starters, so we clearly will play 2 up front. Need the depth.
Fox and Sherwood’s comments show we look far likely to get more investment, can see a fair bit actually.
I don’t know I think vlar and Clark could be a good partnership but we haven’t seen it enough, Clark and baker are the only two I see that don’t work well together because we haven’t seen enough of the vlar okore combo, I wouldn’t mind if vlar left, he is injury prone and mistakes are creeping into his game a lot recently, not just the southampton game but he has lost us a lot of points this year from what I remember, Stoke, Newcastle, spring to mind straight away. Clark, okore did very well for a time so u would like to see them given time together as both are young so with 1 or 2 more years exp they could be formidable IMO. I don’t think anybody understands the gil situation, he is top class from what I’ve seen, unbelievable technique and sublime vision, far better than nzogbia, the only attributes nzogbia would have over gil are physical which might be the reason but if u ask me this front 4 would be unstoppable.
Bacuna………gil……..Grealish
benteke
Sorry for the comment going into moderation Kerry.
Should be sorted now.
I think Fox is our best signing for many years…
TS said Benteke can leave if the right money came in yes, but then he said “but no one can afford him”. To me that’s making a statement. Added to that it was just the one interview when this was spoken about I wouldn’t worry too much, if he goes it will be for good money, everyone in football knows the potential of the lad
I am worried a little bit though that he could go as some dodgy swap deal, would be typical villa, TS hopefully isn’t that stupid
We’ve done 1 swap deal and that was 16m + Ireland for Milner. Would be quite odd if he did a swap deal.
You are right mate but it still worries me, Villa have a way of doing barmy things like that
Not sure what club we’d swap him with in all honesty. No chance he goes to Liverpool. Atletico or Wolfsburg for me are most likely, with Chelsea 3rd.
Plus we have this http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/05/23/aston-villa-boss-tim-sherwood-delivers-blow-to-liverpools-hopes/
Benteke doesn’t suit Pool at all. Think Rodgers knows that, not that they will get him anyways.
Where do u think he will go then. I think Spurs if they sold Kane. Utd would probably look at him so would Chelsea and arsenal. Maybe as bony isn’t working out to well at city we could sell him there and get bony in a straight swap as both players are similar and worth about the same.
Bony works at City, City just need rid of Dzeko.
I think he’ll go abroad if he leaves. Atletico first, Wolfsburg second, and then Chelsea, then Arsenal. Tottenham have as little a chance as Liverpool, which is miniscule. Pool can’t attract players when they have CL, failing to get that, really think they can still attract the bigger players? Come on, I know you like Pool but he won’t go there.
If Benteke has any sense he’ll hang around for at least another season and see what happens at Villa.
If the club has a good season and he scores consistently he may find some bigger opportunities beckoning…or then again if we’re doing well he might just want to stay (fingers and toes crossed)
Why hang around and see what happens. We will be bottom 6 yet again he will be injured for half a season and still be our top scorer. Why bother staying with a club who’s only ambition is staying up when he can double or treble wages elsewhere with a sky 4 team. It’s a no brainer for him imo
OohAah, you’re desperate for him to go so that you can tick your ever moving “told you so” box. As I said just the other day, I genuinely think he’ll stay – not for ever but for next season at least.
If I’m wrong, I look forward to hearing you tell us that you told us this would happen.
It is the time to sell season tickets, so anything said by AVFC staff including the manager should be adjusted for excess rose tint.
TS has revealed something of his views on players that he is not happy with in his comments.
“They have to show it to me in training.”
“We are in a crisis, I need players who will put their bodies on the line for this club.”
“Grealish is not a kid he is a man – look at his legs.”
This I think the clue to why Gil has not been picked, he is a bit fragile. Messi and Iniesta might struggle through a BMH training session if that is the way TS thinks.
Perhaps later than most posts is TS statement that we have to go toe to toe with Arsenal, we don’t have the squad to sit back and catch them on the break. Oh dear, 8-0 and 6-1 come to mind, the first Arsenal’s tally against us this season and the second our last toe to toe result.
Of course, return to the top of this post – it is bullshit time and by the same token we have a cup final to play so anything the manager says this early about tactics is to be taken with a pinch of salt. I hope!
New faces today in the team ?,according to BBC sports young blood maybe seen like players from call back and academy, interesting. I think its going to be tight but a win for Villa, 2-1,its a full house today and I’m going. Oohah see you at the game. ☝✋
You may have to give oohah directions Bill. 😉
Oops B6, , yer right, Oohah take the A 47 into Aston area, walk towards the church, thats the one that’s got a steeple and grave stones , the road divides just before the ground thats Villa park. I’m under the camera on the halfway line, hey buy you a pie mate.
Given
Hutton- Vlaar- Okore- Cissosko
Delph- Westwood- Cleverley
Bacuna- Grealish
Benteke
Villa 3 Burnley 1
Great article by Gary Neville in The Times yesterday. Saying how Pool have become a provincial club with just local thinking…Not where Benteke would want to go…Looking forward to today’s game, and next Saturday even more!!!!!
Just taking up on something Andrew said, if Man City ‘need’ to get rid of Dzeko, we should put ourselves first in line for his signature if Benteke does want out. A hugely under rated player in my eyes and a much better option than Adebayor. Also, have you noticed how Kozak becomes a better player the longer he’s out, he’s just about an average striker to me with good hold up ability, but my Granny is faster, and she’s been dead 20 years!