Leander Dendoncker now at critical career crossroads at Aston Villa as new Villa Park development emerges
Aston Villa have submitted their 25-man squad to the Premier League for the 2023/24 campaign which surprisingly involves Leander Dendoncker but Unai Emery’s decision may prove costly.
The 28-year-old is yet to play in the Premier League this season for Villa, with his only Villa Park appearance coming as a second-half substitute in the second leg of the Europa Conference League qualifier win against Hibernian on 31 August.
The ex-Wolves midfielder was a bit-part player last season too as he made just seven Premier League starts for both Steven Gerrard and Unai Emery and was heavily linked with a move away from Villa Park all summer.
French outlet Le Parisien (1 September) reported that Everton tried to sign the Belgian midfielder on the final day of the transfer window but he never arrived to complete the move. However, the Toffees weren’t the only clubs linked.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano previously reported on 4 July, that Aston Villa were willing to listen to offers for Dendoncker, despite being rated by Emery.
French media outlet Foot Mercato reported on 6 July that Dendoncker was attracting interest from Premier League clubs and Serie A, while French Ligue 1 outfits Stade Rennais, OGC Nice and Lyon had also taken information on the player but no such moves materialised.
Whether that is down to the club or the player remains to be seen but Dendoncker is now certainly left in a state of flux after Emery’s latest decision.
The West Midlands outfit’s 25-man Premier League squad for the season [Birmingham Live, 13 September] has been announced and the Belgian midfielder is involved in the squad.
While that may point to some involvement in the near future for Dendoncker, his squad status is still unclear, especially with the likes of Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara and summer signing Youri Tielemans above him in the midfield pecking order.
It remains to be seen when the Belgian could feature again at Villa Park but he seemed to make a very critical decision on his first-team chances, knocking back Everton’s approach at a last-gasp transfer move.
Turkish news outlet Takvim reported on 13 September that Dendoncker has been recommended to Fenerbahce as they desperately seek out midfield reinforcements before the Turkish transfer deadline on Friday 15 September which means the Belgian may have to make a snap decision on his career fast.
The Belgian international certainly pulled up some impressive defensive contributions last season, finishing the 2022/23 season in the 97th percentile for interceptions made by Premier League midfielders last season (1.88 per 90) as well as the top 1% of his counterparts for blocks (2.07 per 90) and passes blocked (1.68 per 90), such defensive numbers certainly makes him an underrated commodity both at Villa and potential suitors. [FBREF]
At 28 years old, the former Wolves has to be playing regularly as he enters the prime years of his career and unfortunately, that may not be possible with the number of quality Emery now possess at his disposal in the deep-lying midfield role.
Former Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton, speaking to Villa News on 13 September admits he can see Dendoncker accepting a deal from Turkey as he may find himself at a career crossroads should he remain in the West Midlands.
He said: “If a move to Fenerbahce comes up, I think it’s something Dendoncker would look at and want.
“I know they’re after a midfielder so it’s a move that can suit him.
“He’s not getting playing time at Aston Villa so it could suit all parties.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if something like that came up.”
For a less possession-heavy side, Dendoncker could absolutely thrive, becoming one of the best defensive midfielders at what he does.
With Aston Villa heading in a new progressive and controlling system under Emery’s management, it leaves no room for the Belgian to contribute to which means he may have to consider a Turkish exit route in the next 24 hours.
More crucially, Euro 2024 is just around the corner and a lack of opportunities at Villa Park may leave his position in the Belgium squad for next summer’s tournament under serious threat.
Between now and the January transfer window, it doesn’t look like the Belgian will be given much thought in the Aston Villa starting eleven, even with the added Europa Conference League demands.
Like Hutton suggests, a move to Fenerbache seems like the perfect decision for him. Right now, he’s at a critical career crossroads despite Emery’s squad decision.
In other Aston Villa news, a new signing has already held crunch talks with Emery and a BBC Sport pundit has reacted.