The headline is possibly premature, as Diaby hasn’t put pen to paper yet, but it’s looking very likely now that Romano has indicated it’s a done deal.
I was going to write a post about this myself, but young Alfie Ricketts has written in with his opinion, which is way better than me commenting all the time.
Cheers Alfie!
As reported by Tier 1 Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Moussa Diaby became an Aston Villa player this evening for a fee in excess of €50m, joining from Bundlesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen.
Diaby, 24, played 33 games in the Bundlesliga 22/23 season, scoring a total of 9 goals, and providing 9 assists, for a side that ended their campaign 6th in Germany’s top flight. Previously, in the 21/22 Bundlesliga season, the French winger registered 13 goals and 12 assists in 32 games, albeit Leverkusen finished 3rd that season, trailing to the usual two, Bayern and Dortmund.
In and around the fan base, there will be many folk screaming ”Bailey 2.0”, all skill and pace but no end product, but what to expect from Moussa Diaby? Well, as much as I despise the comparison of two professional footballers, it is hard to let the fact that the substantiation of Moussa Diaby’s end product towers over that of Leon Bailey. In my opinion, we have a rapid, skillful winger, who implements those attributes into his game in order to generate an end product, whilst clearly working well with those around him, as proved by the assist count.
Additionally, despite not receiving much of a look in, understandably due to the likes of Mbappe and Benzema, Moussa Diaby has received 9 international caps for the French national team already. I presume a big factor in Diaby’s decision to join Aston Villa, is the higher chance of winning caps for the French setup when playing in the Premiership. Now it’s his chance to prove himself on the big stage, he will be out to do that in true style under Unai Emery.
Overall, Diaby has established himself as a winger with decent end product and someone who wants to work his way into the France squad, which will be done by his, hopefully impressive, performances for Aston Villa. I am confident that we have hit the nail on the head with this one; we’ve got it right, Diaby is for sure the player I am most excited to watch next season, and I am incredibly happy with this transfer on a personal basis.
UTV 🙂
If you have a few moments and want to get the feel of a Premier game. https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12928350/spectacular-player-cam-captures-youri-tielemans-aston-villa-debut
Forgotten striker Louie Barry – remember all the hype surrounding his signing – has signed a contract extension with Villa.
Now 20 he’s off to Stockport on a season long loan.
Do they still see a future at Villa for him or are they trying to improve his sell on price?
Frankly, I don’t see much for him at Villa.
If he had really developed over the last 2-3 seasons while he’s been out on loan, I think he’d be included in the same category as Archer – i.e. somewhere on the fringes of the 1st team – by now.
Looks like another in a long line of kids who looked sensational at 16 or 17, but seem destined for a career in the lower divisions.
Who will probably still end up on £10,000 a week!
Juventus just kicked out of the Europa Conference League –
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66342566
Not bad news for Emery I should think.
West Ham have had a 20 mill offer for Maguire turned down
Apparently Man Ure want £40m 😂
And when you consider how much we paid for Torres, they really are taking the p***
Olsen can’t play with his hands or his feet.
I’d take my mother over him.
DeGea? Yes please!
Evening, Badger and friends. Just posted an article which might stimulate some debate. Cheers
Breaking news: Arnold Scwarzenegger signs for Al-Bibak on a 3 year contract worth 2 million a week…