Dan Bardell: Aston Villa signing Clement Lenglet has ‘lost his way’ with big moves not working out
We’re delighted to welcome Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Clement Lenglet has “lost his way” at his previous clubs before his loan move to Aston Villa, according to Dan Bardell.
The Frenchman was the Villans’ final signing of the summer, making his way from Barcelona on a season-long loan deal following his recent loan to Tottenham.
However, since his £30.7million move from Sevilla to Camp Nou in 2018, he has struggled to maintain consistent form and live up to expectations, costing him his spot in the France international side since making his last appearance for Les Bleus in 2021.
However, while the 28-year-old may have “lost his way” in recent seasons, Bardell suggests that he has been unable to show his best form amid the “mess” of Spurs’ campaign last season and his move to Barca hasn’t “worked out brilliantly”, but he is the “highest level” opinion Villa could have got on a short-term basis.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “He’s obviously played in the Premier League last season with Tottenham. He had an okay time at Spurs, he wasn’t a fundamental problem for them but he wasn’t absolutely outstanding either.
“Everyone at Spurs suffered last season, he wasn’t alone. He entered into a bit of a mess really there. Monchi has worked with him before as well at Sevilla and he comes with plenty of experience.
“He’s a France international and he’s played for Barcelona and signed for big money.
“Lenglet’s lost his way a little bit over the last few years. His choice of moves haven’t worked out brilliantly for him. These big moves, Barcelona and Spurs, haven’t really worked out for him but it might not be his fault.
“But they needed another left-sided centre-back and Lenglet is the highest level Villa could get on a short-term basis.”
In other Aston Villa news, Dan Bardell has hailed a new Villa signing as “unique” but still holds reservations about him.