Aston Villa to make right decision on Clement Lenglet, he is not good enough
Aston Villa are making the right call by potentially allowing Clement Lenglet’s loan deal to expire at Villa Park.
The central defender spent the 2023/24 season at Villa on loan from Barcelona, making 25 appearances across all competitions.
However, he fell out of favour towards the end of the season and the Frenchman is expected to exit Villa Park.
Clement Lenglet is not good enough to start for Aston Villa
Lenglet did not make his first Premier League appearance for Villa until 22 December, playing the full 90 minutes in a disappointing 1-1 draw at home against Sheffield United.
He was afforded a run in the team due to an injury that limited Pau Torres’ involvement, but the Spaniard soon reclaimed his place once fit.
Lenglet’s 1.56 combined tackles and interceptions per 90 in the Premier League in 2023/24 is an alarmingly low average for a central defender, as is his 2.89 ball recoveries per 90 in the competition [FBref].
The 28-year-old tackled just 53.8 per cent of the players who attempted to dribble past him and won an average of only 1.17 aerial duels per 90 at a success rate of 57.7 per cent.
Such poor defensive numbers paint a picture of a centre-back whose influence out of possession is too great to ignore – no matter his quality in carrying the ball up the field on it.
His 2.09 progressive carries per 90 are certainly impressive but they do not make up for his lack of defensive acumen and with Tyrone Mings set to return after missing virtually the entire season following a cruciate ligament tear, there is no need to pursue a permanent move for Lenglet.
With Diego Carlos and Ezri Konsa also in the squad, Villa appear well-stocked for central defenders heading into the 2024/25 campaign.
In other Aston Villa news, the club must resist the temptation to cash in on Jacob Ramsey.
For more Aston Villa news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.