Tonev, Okore, Bacuna, Luna, Steer, Helenius…
Who cares if we’ve never heard of them, or heard or know little about them? Who’d heard of Benteke this time last year? It’s exciting times at Villa Park. I have experienced some dismal days as a fan recently, but everything is seemingly heading in the right direction now. I think it a good idea to take stock of what our team has stockpiled thus far…
Aleksandar Tonev – I have watched him a couple of times in big matches where he has played for Lech Poznan. He is intuitive and capable of using both feet, something most fans are not used to with Gabby and Albrighton unable to do this. Tonev is capable of a lot but I do hope he does not turn out like fellow national compatriot Martin Petrov, who promised a lot and delivered nothing in the Premier League.
Jores Okore – Benteke in disguise?? He is built like a good old fashioned defender, but pacey. He’s very impressive from what I have seen of him and, at the age of 20 he has been capped by Denmark and has Champions League experience – not bad, really. Okore will bring much needed competition to the defensive ranks. Overall, he could go down in Villa folklore like fellow Scandinavians Laursen and Melberg.
Leandro Bacuna – I really rate this guy from what I have seen in Dutch football. He is something special. He certainly has the ability and imagination. Really, what a great player Bacuna could turn out to be. Confident and powerful, he may take time to settle in the top flight, however. I believe he is a real asset to the Club as he is a Dutch U21 International and played over 100 games for his former club FC Groningen. Overall he is brilliant, but a player we may struggle to keep hold of in future years unfortunately. Bacuna was quoted to saying to the Birmingham Mail, “I’m going to try and make a lot of goals and be a fan favourite.” This impresses me as it does many others as he shows he wants to be someone.
Antonio Luna – When I think of Spanish players I think of the passing capability most of them show. They all have an ability to play football the right way and Lambert’s way. He recently said, “I really can’t wait to get started. I have a great expectation coming here.” He is ambitious, which is great seeing as how Villa fans only want ambitious players – he is that exactly. That said, Luna seems too weak at the moment. Yes, he whips in a good cross, but he looks weak defensively and looks like he needs to get on the weights this summer to be able to cope with an influx of physical football next term.
Nocklas Helenius – I’m unsure on players above 6’3″ as they’re usually lanky and have no ability with the ball on the ground, but from what I have witnessed Helenius he seems a player against my own stereotype on tall players. Then again, I cannot judge my stereotype much as Christian Benteke totally proved me and many others wrong last season. In general, he is a real prospect as he can play the ball well on the deck – though YouTube can make Emile Heskey look a great player.
Jed Steer – A promising young Englishmen who surely will challenge Guzan for the “number one” shirt one day in the future. He has featured at many levels for England and hopefully on his way to becoming the next Gordon Banks and not the next David James. He commands his area, which is important in a modern goalkeeper and is a decent height at 6’2″ . Overall he will not be challenging Brad Guzan yet, but who knows as Lambert must rate him to go back to Norwich to pick him up.
What do you think of Paul Lamberts signings ? Would love to hear from you! UTV!
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