View: Cameron Archer may reach Aston Villa crossroads this summer with future in doubt
Cameron Archer has long been touted as the brightest goalscorer to rise through the Aston Villa academy in recent years, but his constant struggle for game time in the West Midlands could finally force his hand this summer.
Chances and opportunities were scarce at Villa Park in the opening stages of the season for the 21-year-old, so the club sanctioned a loan move to Championship high-flyers Middlesbrough, where he has unsurprisingly hit the ground running.
Over the past few weeks, he has seemingly transformed Boro’s attack with his pace and desire to run in behind, linking up beautifully with Chuba Akpom and getting his account underway with a well-taken first-half goal against Cardiff City at the weekend (Saturday 11 February).
It is no surprise that Archer is once again proving his worth at Championship level, as the England Under-21 international simply scores goals whatever level he plays at.
Four goals in four games for his country at youth level paired with the seven goals scored on loan at Preston during the second half of last season has left chins wagging amongst the lower leagues – and Villa must now decide what the future holds.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, The Athletic’s Dan Bardell likened Archer’s current predicament to Watford loanee Keinan Davis, who has never quite cemented his position in the first team.
He said: “He just hasn’t had that chance in the Premier League yet, to start a run of games and prove himself at first-team level.
“So it’s difficult to judge at the moment because he’s in the middle of a loan move at the moment and he’s going well there – so he couldn’t have done much more if he doesn’t make it under Emery.
“You only have to look at Keinan Davis, who probably left it too long, to see that you can get bits and pieces at Villa but you won’t be developing at the rate you need to be because you’re not getting games and not getting minutes.“
With Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and 19-year-old Jhon Duran, Unai Emery’s current first-team personnel in attack, and at least one more attacking signing likely in the summer, Archer may still struggle for Premier League exposure at Villa Park next season.
If this is the case, a crossroads could well be hit this summer, where Archer decides whether to part ways with Villa and pursue pastures greener elsewhere.
The academy graduate clearly has an eye for goal, but his development is currently being stifled by Villa, and it, unfortunately, doesn’t look likely to change any time soon.
Bardell said: “So there will come a point where he thinks if I’m not going to make it here, I’m going to back myself and move elsewhere. He may move down a league and look to score a lot of goals at Championship level and play Premier League football at a later date.
“So if he’s not going to get the games at Villa, he may move on in the summer, and that would be a shame because the fans are very fond of him.”
Whether Archer remains an Aston Villa player or pursues a future elsewhere is still up for debate, but one thing is certain: he will score goals wherever he goes.
In other Aston Villa news, the club face competition from Barcelona to secure the signing of a striker at the end of the season.