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Rio Ferdinand proven right about Matty Cash valuation claim after Aston Villa win v Crystal Palace
Matty Cash continued his terrific form for Aston Villa against Crystal Palace with a display packed with attacking verve – and once again justifying why Rio Ferdinand waxed lyrical about the defender after the Qatar World Cup.
After missing out in place of Ashley Young in recent weeks, Cash has been given a new lease of life under Unai Emery, and he did his future first-team chances no harm whatsoever as he picked up an assist and a clean sheet in the 1-0 win over the Eagles on Saturday (4 March).
Throughout the course of the match, the 25-year-old was an attacking livewire down the right flank as he completed three dribbles – one of which resulted in Joachim Andersen turning the ball into his own net following Cash’s low cross. [WhoScored]
It was a wonderful sight to see the Polish international back to his free-flowing best after bursting onto the international scene at the Qatar World Cup. During the competition, Cash helped Poland progress out of their group with clean sheets against Poland and Saudi Arabia – which left BBC Sport pundit Ferdinand gushing over the former Nottingham Forest player.
As reported by Nottinghamshire Live [24 November], Ferdinand said: “It’s crazy, because when he signed for Villa for £20m-ish, people raised their eyebrows like ‘Wow, where’s this come from?
“Now they’ve [Villa] doubled their money, maybe, if they wanted to sell him. He’s been a fantastic signing for Villa but the way he’s improved, his mentality is a testament for him.”
As Cash bombed up and down the right flank all game long and put in what could be argued as a man-of-the-match performance, Ferdinand’s words would have been ringing in many supporters’ ears.
As well as providing an attacking outlet down the right wing, Cash also completed five tackles and a clearance at the other end of the pitch. Over the last two games, the defender has recorded his highest individual WhoScored ratings of the season (7.77 and 7.61) as he continues to move from strength to strength under Emery.
Although many pundits would have laughed off Ferdinand’s claim that Cash should be valued upwards of £40million, performances such as his against Crystal Palace highlight the sky-high ceiling the right-back possesses.
Cash will hope his purple patch in form is enough to persuade Emery that he can be a key cog in the long-term plans at Villa Park.
In other Aston Villa news, the future of this loanee hangs in the balance as contract talks await.