Jamie Redknapp raves over Monchi ‘Masterclass’ in new Marcus Rashford claim
Aston Villa took a gamble on Marcus Rashford in the winter transfer window and it’s a move that paid some dividends against Chelsea on Saturday.
Aston Villa fought back to beat Chelsea 2-1 at Villa Park with winter arrival Marco Asensio scoring twice to cancel out Enzo Fernandez’s opener.
Rashford finished the game with a pair of assists for Villa too as the business done in the transfer window proved particularly fruitful as the Blues were put to the sword.
And Jamie Redknapp thinks there will be a few rueful minds around the world having watched what the Manchester United loanee did against Enzo Maresca’s men.
Redknapp hails Villa business as Rashford question posed
There were no shortage of suitors for Rashford with the likes of Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham all linked to the England international.
Ultimately, it was Villa who won the race as director of football operations Monchi also drafted in Asensio, Donyell Malen and Axel Disasi in a busy window for Unai Emery’s men.
Redknapp, speaking live on Sky Sports Football after the game, hailed the work done by Villa and said that sporting directors across the globe will be questioning why they did not take a punt on Rashford after his performance against Chelsea.
He said: “That’s how to do the transfer window, that’s how to handle it, that’s how you do good business, he obviously knows him extremely well and you bring in Marcus as well, that’s a masterclass in what you’re trying to do.
“You look at other clubs and how they didn’t bring players in – I’m sure there’s directors of football at other clubs all round the world with their heads in their hands asking ‘why didn’t I get Marcus Rashford?’ I get the doubts, I would have been nervous about doing it but right now Aston Villa look like they’ve done great business.”
Rashford can kick on at Aston Villa
Sometimes, you just have to take a risk in football and make no mistake about it, bringing in Rashford certainly represented a risk for Aston Villa.
For the past couple of seasons, Rashford has really gone off the boil at Old Trafford and it was clear there was a breakdown in his relationship with Ruben Amorim, who questioned his commitment to training.
But, what is not in doubt, is that Aston Villa have signed a real talent in Rashford if he can find his best form in the West Midlands.
Rashford looked sharp against Chelsea and Villa fans will love the fact he combined with Asensio to good effect, if those two produce the goods then the final months of the season could be really exciting.
Credit too to Monchi and Emery for taking calculated risks at Aston Villa in the transfer window because, while other clubs were sleeping, they stole ahead to make two huge signings.
Rashford can really kick on at Villa now and hopefully Emera and the supporters in B6 will reap the benefits of that.