Aston Villa should move on from Tyrone Mings to go to next level
Tyrone Mings came in to Aston Villa on loan from Bournemouth and quickly became the new leader of the back line at Villa Park.
But after three years back in the Premier League the club are looking to build on their established base in the top flight and start pushing for European football under new boss Steven Gerrard.
The Liverpool legend will oversee his first summer transfer window at the club and has made it clear that there will be changes as he looks to push the club forward.
One change that seems to be on many lips is surrounding the future of current captain Mings, who has established himself as a regular for England under Gareth Southgate on the left side of the centre backs.
But his form at club level has led to criticism around his constant selection for the national team, as well as the fact he wears the armband.
The fact of the matter is that while Mings has his strengths, for what Villa want going forward under Gerrard there should be an alternative centre-back coming in to take his spot.
There has previously been links to Joe Gomez, who has all the attributes and experience to help move the club up in his absence.
Mings’ greatest attribute is arguably the fact that he’s left footed. Aerially he is strong, but positionally he is often left wanting while in possession he is careless more often than not.
Those reckless lapses in concentration are a big reason why the defensive record in recent seasons has been nowhere near good enough.
If the club want to progress, he needs to be eased out of the starting lineup on a regular basis. The team have progressed past the need of low blocks, deep lines and defensive fragility.
There are plenty of centre backs out there who can help the side move on, but any of them who potentially come in should be instead of Mings and not alongside him.
In other Aston Villa news, Bertrand Traore fit for Aston Villa v Norwich, Kortney Hause and Morgan Sanson out