By WG2K (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
If you believe “Get Reading”, it seems a deal to buy Reading’s 21-year-old midfielder Aaron Tshibola is pretty much in the bag.
This is the lad who Jaap Stam talked about recently, as one who shouldn’t be sold. Of course, that’s exactly the sort of thing you’d expect a manager to say if he’s trying to inflate the price, but his thoughts seem to be backed up by the Reading fans who think he’s the best thing since sliced bread the best to come out of the club’s academy since Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Which is all well and good.
Until I look at the kid’s record, which says he’s only made a total of 17 appearances for Reading.
Ok, he made 23 appearances for Hartlepool whilst on loan, but that’s League 2, which isn’t quite the same level.
So, all in all, this seems a pretty big gamble doesn’t it? as while £5 million isn’t a lot of money by Villa’s usual levels, it is a lot of money for such an unproven player, who might just be a bit injury-prone (from the odd comment I’ve seen written).
Not that the latter point is so important at such a young age. Delph (hiss!) had his share of injuries, but he went on to do ok for us, after all, didn’t he?
And while I don’t know what sort of midfielder Tshibola is, if he’s as up for it and as combative as Delph was, he’ll do for me.
It seems this particular transfer was very much led by Steve Clarke, our assistant manager, who actually blooded the player when he was Reading manager. Which is good news, as he’ll obviously know about his ability and perhaps more importantly, his attitude, which surely must be good.
Of course, whether this proves to be a good deal or not will only be determined by how he performs for us.
If he turns out to be poor, it’ll be looked back on as a stupid gamble.
But while fans always tend to over-hype players who have come through the academy in the early days, I like the comment where one of Reading’s fans predicted he’ll play for a top premier league club at some stage.
So I’m happy to see this as what could be a very astute signing.
Then again, why am I reminded of Gary Gardner?
Hmm, I linked online to that pic of Tshibola.
Can anyone tell me if it works ok?
Image works for me. Its someone in a Reading shirt alright who I presume is Tshibola.
I think all signings are a bit of a gamble whether its a young unknown player or one who has been around the block a few times. I’ve seen many a lot of so called ‘dead certs’ turn out to be very damp squibs indeed. At least in this case Clarke knows the player well so IMHO this makes it slightly less of a gamble than normal.
Well things are happening, slowly perhaps, but that might be a good thing. I guess we’ll only get an idea where we really are when we’ve played our first competitive game. I’d also guess that if RDM is wise he might keep some of that money until January in case further strengthening is needed then.
Still looking forward to next season though. Villa’s first game against Wednesday is on Sky and I can’t wait!
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Works for me as well Badger, what’s that kick-off date Pat57?, I think they have a friendly coming up soon ? ,like you looking forwards to the season especially with the new players. got to watch my step now, Stubbs is on my case, been reprimanded and put in the naughty chair twice, making me feel young again.
Bill its Sunday 7th August at 4:30 pm
Cheers Pat 57, I just thought I’m on a cruise not back till 11th, thinking cap on Bill. ??.?
More money wasted on an injury prone player who to add insult will more than likely be given at least a 5 year contract on ridiculous wages that will no doubt cost the club millions.
The club has wasted millions of pounds on signings such as Tonev, Bacuna, Bowery, Bennett, Crespo, Tony Moon, Lescott etc etc and completely ignored, with the exception of Grealish, youth players that won the youth version of the European Cup only 3 years ago!!
Those exact players who won the Next Gen should now be establishing themselves in the Aston Villa first team.
Considering we are supposed to have a really good youth set up we never really use it to promote players to the first team.
We have released players, Robinson the most recent, without even giving them the chance to show what they can do.
I said Di Matteo will not last the season and I stand by that statement. One of the reasons is the bloke is doing nothing different regarding the quality of players we are bringing to the club.
Sign shit players and you get a shit team, that has been proved over the last 6 years.
Stop showing off
Are you challenging Oohah as the most negative poster on here?
Stubbs, go into that corner and sit on that naughty chair, you are having a bad moment. and you are supposed to be a Villa fan.
He’s 21, how on earth can you say he is injury prone? He has had premier League teams courting him and he looks like he will join Villa in the championship. Give him a chance to fail for f*#k sake…
Badger, you putting them dislikes on?your the only one thats not got one.
Obvious school kids whose teacher gone on strike. Blue nose twits.
Bill, I don’t have anything to do with “likes” or “dislikes”, trust me.
I’ve been asked to remove the “dislikes”, a few times, but I don’t see the argument as to why.
Even if they don’t suit the majority (or myself), my opinion says they’re still valid and we should ask ourselves “why do certain comments get them?”
Certainly I thought most Villa fans want the kids to be brought through, even though I personally disagree?
Hence I don’t see what he’s said, that’s wrong.
Apart from the prediction of failure before we’ve started, that is, which is what I suspect people are disliking.
It’s a point I’ve often made though, in that our academy is supposed to be at least amongst the best, but we’ve never had the players coming through.
If the kids are so good, how come they never progress?
My opinion says regardless of how good our academy looks on paper, it’s quite simply rubbish.
Stubbs believes the kids are good enough, because they won the NextGen.
I say the NextGen must be a load of crap, same as the Hong Kong 7’s and is 100% meaningless.
Who’s right?
Whatever, the dislikes stay, unless someone can convince me otherwise.
And the odd dislike really doesn’t matter.
That said, Stubbs’ comment is a bit of an eye-opener, as the “dislikes” are so large, for reasons I obviously don’t see.
The undeniable fact is we have bought a load of over-priced and over-paid crap over recent years.
And it’s why we were relegated.
Another reason why I don’t see what Stubbs got wrong.
I’m confused, in short.
According to reports we are about to sign Gollini (21 yr old GK) for about €5m. Another young player with potential. If true, not sure where that leaves Guzan and Steer?
Guzan can catch the next bus out of VP, but he’ll probably try to punch it with two fists.
I’d take gollini over pants any day, adios guzan.
the phantom blue nose has come back with his army of dislike-rs, lmao all three of um. now i best clear off before they dis me 2 lol
i thought we would have signed the goalie and the kid from reading by now. not that iam endorsing rushing deals through. steady as we go, as long as we get the right players in. thats all that counts for me
6 million for westwoods i doubt many of you guys would stand in his way to burnley. i think he gets grief from us, at times its unfair grief. but 6million is day light robbery snatch their hands off
I don’t think I have ever seen Tshibola play. The fact that Clarke had him before and wants him again is a positive. However he will have to be damn good before anyone buys a shirt with his name on the back.
😀 tish l’do.
Nice post and photos of Ayew and Gestede doing their bit in the local community for Eid.
http://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2016/7/6/12108348/-a-picture-to-make-you-proud-of-aston-villa
Hope this is confirmation that they will both be with us for the start of the season. If we get someone who could cross the ball they might even make a good pairing.
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