Encouraging defeat remains a concept to be handled with caution, even more so when we know Unai Emery and his demands. But the Spanish coach undoubtedly noted several reasons to be optimistic during Aston Villa’s defeats during this preparation (against Porto, 2-1, and Real Sociedad, 4-2). Brian Madjo is one of them. Bought for 12 million euros from Metz this winter after only 5 appearances in Ligue 1 (157 minutes of play), the Enfield native had since been banned from playing due to FIFA rules relating to international transfers of minors.
Aston Villa finally won their case before the CAS this week, arguing that the player should be exempt from this rule since he was born in London despite his three caps with Luxembourg (Madjo had joined a non-EU country before reaching the age of majority, which is prohibited by FIFA regulations). The one who now represents the English U17s then had to be content with playing friendly matches, and that’s smiling on him for the moment. It’s no coincidence that Aston Villa supporters have already dedicated a song to him.
4 goals in preparation
Author of 4 goals, including one in Aston Villa’s defeat against Real Sociedad (2-4, July 28), the 17-year-old striker is receiving praise in the British press. There BBC for example compares his profile to that of a certain Romelu Lukaku, adding: “Madjo was an example against Real Sociedad and offers Aston Villa a glimpse of the future. His equalizer revealed a predatory instinct from his height of 1.93 meters. He destabilizes and lets his power speak. Aston Villa are looking for a striker but with Madjo, Emery has a player he can develop discreetly.”
The Athletic reveals that Madjo had already impressed and caught the eye of Unai Emery during training sessions at the end of last season while The Sun adds: “the very promising Brian Madjo impresses during this pre-season thanks to his size and physique, which are reminiscent of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.” Under contract until 2032 with the Villans, the one who could also have represented Cameroon should make his first appearances in the Premier League fairly quickly. The opportunity for him to justify the investment made for a 16-year-old player at the time.
