Fifth in the Premier League, Aston Villa is off to a good start to the season. Indeed, the Villans currently have 22 points (7 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats). They also got off to a good start in the Europa Conference League (2 wins and 1 loss). The only downside is ultimately the elimination in the Carabao Cup. But Unai Emery and his men have been generally praised since the start of this 2023-24 financial year. However, the former coach of Paris Saint-Germain does not only make people happy within his workforce.
Lenglet plays very little
Indeed, Clément Lenglet (28 years old) is experiencing some difficulties. After a season on loan from Tottenham, the French central defender returned to FC Barcelona during the summer. For a long time, we believed that he would return to Spurs. But it was ultimately in Birmingham that the former Sevilla player settled down. Ready and motivated to take on this new challenge, he hoped to help the Villans by bringing his qualities and his high-level experience. But Lenglet hasn’t really had the chance to show what he is capable of.
Unai Emery has not yet used it in the Premier League (0 minutes played in 11 days). On the other hand, the Spaniard gave him playing time in the Europa Conference League. He started during the first three days. And each time, he played the matches in full (270 minutes of play). But it is necessarily insufficient for a player of this caliber, who does not forget the French team and Euro 2024. All this also worries FC Barcelona, a club where he is still under contract until June 2026.
Barça wants to get him out of his trouble
According to Sport, the Frenchman’s management leaves the Culés perplexed. Especially since Aston Villa had insisted on recruiting him. The Catalans, who paid part of his salary because they believed that he could increase in value in the Premier League, are considering getting him out of trouble in January. The managers are thinking of breaking his loan if possible and sending him to a La Liga club so that he plays and his market value does not drop too much. Last June, it was estimated at 10 million euros according to the specialized site transfermarkt. A price which must have fallen slightly after the start of the season.
But Clément Lenglet, like Aston Villa, believes that he can reverse the trend and win according to Sport. This is obviously not what Barça thinks, which already has its back. The Catalan media indicates that the Blaugrana club could try to place him this winter at Betis, which needs a central defender. It remains to be seen what the position of the Villans, who appreciate his professionalism, and of the player will be. Last summer, Lenglet, who should start tomorrow in C4 against Alkmaar, refused a great offer from Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He will therefore have his say this winter. A great puzzle in perspective!
