We have some decent news to talk about, at last.
First is a story by the Daily Mail, that suggests Remi Garde has totally had it with Charles N’Zogbia and the player might be on his way to AEK Athens if he has the good grace to accept a pay-off to leave.
The figures involving the player (if true and I suspect they’re not far off) are just shocking. Here’s what the article says;
“He has come to symbolise the huge waste at Villa, with his cost to the club in wages and transfer fee since 2011 currently standing at £24.7million. That equates to £265,591 per each of his 93 appearances in all competitions, or £4.94million per each of his five goals.”
It’s not the goal tally I have a problem with, although I always expected him to chip in with a few (but which Villa midfielder has done that in the last few years?).
It’s the cost per game that sticks in the craw and for a club at our level, it’s just eye-wateringly expensive, isn’t it?
What a shame, as I really thought he’d be a great signing for us when we got him.
The article goes on to mention that Garde is the third manager to not like his relaxed attitude to the game.
Reading between the lines, it seems the opinion is that the man is a total stroker, full stop.
Good riddance if he leaves, unfortunately.
Then there’s news that might please many of you, in that Joleon Lescott might be off to the retirement home that is LA Galaxy;
That doesn’t quite make sense to me, seeing as he’s only just arrived at the Villa, but I suppose it’s all about the money and let’s face it, the Californian climate or a British winter?
That’s a no-brainer and I could possibly see it happening, especially if you do the MLS vs Championship debate.
No major loss, in my opinion, although it’s always nice to have a Villa supporter playing for the club (as long as he’s performing).
Next, there’s Traore.
It’s been confirmed he’s broken a toe and will be out for around ten weeks.
Another shame, just like Amavi and indicative of a team that’s having no luck whatsoever.
Why some are calling him “another crock” is beyond me.
A broken toe is not a common occurrence and is one that’s more likely to be found in a really pacy player, due to the heavy impacts when he gets clattered.
It’s certainly not enough to call him injury prone, in my opinion.
Indeed “Don’t let it get you down, come back strong and keep doing what you were doing in lighting up an incredibly poor season for us fans” would be my message to the lad.
Last of all, after Remi Garde got a rebuke from Chelsea for talking about Loic Remy, it now seems the manager has been talking about Debuchy from Arsenal;
I have to wonder what this is all about.
The unwritten law is that you don’t talk about players that belong to other football clubs, full stop.
Yes, I know certain other clubs/managers do it, but they’re usually in a position of massive strength, at a level where any dirty trick is deemed ok.
I like to think we don’t play those games, because our standards have traditionally been higher than that.
I’d ask that Garde keeps his mouth shut until any deal has been done, personally.
In the same article Garde confirms that Illori has gone back to Liverpool.
Another waste of money, but what’s new?
