Alan Hutton: Leander Dendoncker not signed to make up Aston Villa numbers
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Alan Hutton is impressed with new Aston Villa signing Leander Dendoncker and feels that the Belgium midfielder isn’t just at the club to make up the numbers.
Villa sealed a deadline deal for Dendoncker, for a fee believed to be in the region of £13million according to Sky Sports (2 September).
Hutton feels that his arrival will put pressure on Villa’s current crop of midfielders, who have been in indifferent form for Steven Gerrard’s side thus far.
“I’ve always liked him as a player and Steven Gerrard wanted somebody to come in and it’s not just about numbers, it’s about what he brings to the football club,” Hutton exclusively told Villa News.
“He’s going to put pressure on the boys that are already there as I don’t think they haven’t been in sparkling form of late.
“He will have to maybe wait for one or two games to get in unless Gerrard wants to freshen it up but I am surprised that Wolves allowed him to go, maybe that got decent money for him, but he’s another good option for Gerrard.“
Dendoncker is yet to feature for Villa since his deadline day arrival and could be in contention to face Leicester in what is a huge game for both clubs.
Gerrard’s side now face a more forgiving run of fixtures, with Southampton, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest all to come.
The Villa boss will be hoping to kickstart his team’s season after a difficult and tricky start to their 2022/23 Premier League campaign.
In other Aston Villa news, manager Steven Gerrard is very keen to bring Liverpool defender Joe Gomez to the club.