Aston Villa may already have perfect Clement Lenglet replacement as Calum Moreland signs new deal
Aston Villa may already have a replacement for Clement Lenglet after 17-year-old Calum Moreland was handed his first professional contract at Villa Park.
The club confirmed the news in a statement via their official website on 21 February, congratulating the youngster on earning his professional deal.
Moreland is a left-sided centre-back who has played a key role for the under-18 side since arriving from Northern Irish club Linfield Swifts in the summer transfer window.
When he left Linfield for Villa Park in the summer, having agreed the deal in 2022, his former boss Michael Gault referred to him as “a brilliant player” and shared that it was a credit to his talent and hard work that Villa picked him up. [Belfast Telegraph]
How good could Calum Moreland be at Aston Villa?
As a left-sided centre-back, the natural comparison in the current Aston Villa squad would be Clement Lenglet, and with the defender likely to leave upon the end of his loan deal this summer, Moreland should learn from his game.
In Villa’s last three wins, against Sheffield United, Fulham and Middlesbrough, Lenglet has stood out, playing the full 90 minutes across each game.
Most impressively against Sheffield United, the defender made seven clearances, one block and one interception, as well as completing 98 passes at a success rate of 93 per cent. [Sofascore]
Against Fulham, more recently, he made eight clearances, one block and one tackle came alongside a 98 per cent passing accuracy, and against Boro, his 105 touches led to 94 passes, once clearance and one tackle.
If Moreland can use Lenglet’s performances as a model for his own game, he could rise through the ranks at Villa Park quickly and perhaps one day become a regular in Unai Emery’s team. A professional deal is just the start.
In other Aston Villa news, John McGinn has stepped up to hide a crushing injury blow.
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