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There are four American midfielders at the moment that I’d be be happy to see join Villa if we had room to use them; Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan are more than capable of fitting in on the flanks, Stuart Holden would be a useful creative addition in the centre and Michael Bradley would be my choice of a holding, box-to-box water carrier in the middle.
The key being if we had room to use them which I think rules all of them out right at this precise moment in time, but if we consider the not-too-future situation in central midfield, things look a little different. Just look at the current crop of central midfielders and think about which of them is likely to still be with us next season.
Obviously Jean Makoun and Fabian Delph have futures, Hogg and Bannan have recently agreed new contracts after making great impressions. That’s four we can feel reasonably certain will be involved next season, but what of the rest?
Nigel Reo-Coker‘s contract expires this summer and he’s already rejected the offer of an extension as he wants more money. Isn’t going to happen, he looks to be off unless he backs down on his wage demands. It may already be too late though.
Two other players with contracts expiring this summer are Moustapha Salifou and Isaiah Osbourne. Salifou has one bench appearance to his name, Osbourne has sat on the bench four times this season, making it onto the pitch once; Vienna. The chances of either player being with the club next season are practically zero.
Robert Pires only joined on a short term deal until the end of the season and despite scoring against Blackburn in the FA Cup, there’s unlikely to be much of a call to bring him back next season.
Question marks have to be placed over the heads of Stephen Ireland and Stiliyan Petrov. So far, Ireland’s move to Aston Villa has been a disaster, but it’s unclear whether all relevant parties have given up completely yet. Even if they have, moving him on won’t be straightforward. Or cheap.
Petrov’s legs are looking increasingly weary, but he’s contracted until 2013 and even at 32 this summer, there must be some thought about cashing in on whatever value he might hold. Think about what he will cost to keep, what he can contribute and what his valuation will be at the end of 2011/12 season when he’ll be knocking on the door of 33 years old with another 12 months still on his contract.
Why loan?
ESPN seem to have jumped the gun somewhat in declaring that Bradley is definitely coming to Villa on loan, Gerard Houllier was reluctant to discuss it after the Blackburn game, but confirmed discussions were well in hand.
I would suggest that Bradley would be an excellent replacement for Reo-Coker; he’s mobile, well motivated, disciplined, just as happy to put a tackle in as Reo-Coker, but has superior passing skills and vision in my opinion. He’d also be a good deal cheaper I imagine.
But what would be the point of having Reo-Coker and Bradley at the club for the rest of the season and then losing both players in May?
Well, not much, except I’d have to assume that it would provide something of a hedge to avoid leaving ourselves high and dry in the summer without exploring available options. Consider it a long term trial. Bradley could come to Villa for four or five months, then if Reo-Coker does go and Bradley has impressed, you’d have to assume that we’d be in pole position to sign him permanently.
If it doesn’t work out and/or Reo-Coker ends up staying, what have we lost? Five months wages, maybe a loan fee.
So, assuming this loan move goes though, if it’s a strategy to secure the opportunity to bring in a quality player permanently, it’s great. But if it’s just a loan for the sake of bringing in another central midfielder, it seems pretty pointless to me.
I’m going to have to assume it’s the former, the latter just doesn’t make any sense.
Bradley reportedly has suitors in Turkey and Italy, as Match Fit USA notes; his decline in standing at Monchengladbach is palpable and the club has already brought his replacement in, there’s no question that he’s on the move sooner rather than later.
There have been whispers of one more secret target left on Houllier’s list this past week and it appears a Michael Bradley shaped cat has now been let out the bag. It’s another unconventional move following the pattern set by the acquisition of Walker, Makoun and Bent. With that kind of form, who’d argue against this?
Not me, I look forward to hearing this one confirmed. UPDATE: This deal has now gone through.
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8 Comments to “Michael Bradley on verge of joining Aston Villa on loan, but is he needed?”
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I have only really seen Bradley in WC 2010 but I was impressed with him. Runs all day and scored some useful goals. I know that is international football and very different from league but I seriously thought he was one of the players of the tournament for me. Therefore would rather have him than not. Do hope we keep NRC aswell, he has much he has yet to show us in my opinion.
i caught him playing for gladbach a few times, but not enough to really form an opinion on. i’ve watched the states play a fair bit though and he’s very much the glue that pulls that side together IMO.
very good player, might need to be eased in gently as holden was at bolton, possibly another good reason to bring him in on loan this season so he can hit the ground running next season.
if we ended up with a central midfield “squad” of makoun, NRC, bradley, delph, hogg & bannan that would probably give us enough strength in depth tbh.
First, this will be done. The credible reporters here in U.S. have all confirmed that he will be heading to Villa.
Second, as an American, I’ve watched literally every international game he has played over the last 4 years. (Club games I haven’t seen because ‘Gladbach are rarely on here.) Bradley can be an absolute BEAST in the middle of the park. He is an all around, box-to-box mid. He can pass well, though he won’t spray the ball around like Delph or Bannan. He gets stuck in and likes a good, hard tackle, but will also get forward to good effect. In a full season, I would expect 4-5 goals from him. He makes good, late runs into the box and has a good shot.
I’m over the moon about this deal and hope performs well enough so that it becomes permanent. He is quality and is only 23. He keeps getting better every year and is a future captain of U.S.
I’m with you Tex. He has been great on the International team. I also like that he knows the continental game and will fit into GH’s style of play (and training).
Also don’t discount the fact that he is a coach’s son. Being the son of a coach doesn’t guarantee skill but if the skill is there then you have a footballing brain/intelligence that is likely unmatched by others. Bradley sees the game faster and reacts faster because of it. Many of his goals come from being in the right place at the right time.
i was surprised to be reminded how young he is. it’s not just because he’s already packing his old man’s hairline, but because it feels like he’s been around for so long.
he’ll need to acclimatise to the pace of the prem, but i’d happily see him as NRC’s replacement… and i say that as a fan of NRC.
that’s why this deal has to be done with the intention of making it permanent, otherwise it’s a waste of time.
Excited about this one as well. In all honesty I was hoping Bradley would come over when his father’s name was being tossed about. After GH was selected I figured Michael was out of the question.
Dan, I think the loan thing is just as you presented it — a way to bring a young, talented player on trial. The only knock is that he is American and hasn’t proven himself in the EPL. Heck, Brazillians come here and find that they can’t settle in! A loan gives AV a chance to see if he is a fit and if he can make the step-up. Great business if you ask me.
As to where does he fit in, that is easy. We may have a full 11-man team of midfielders but we still are lacking in the department. Let’s assume that Makoun settles in as our defensive center mid, who partners with him?
NRC – good but not great, can’t shoot and isn’t the best passer of the ball.
Petrov — more defensive (backup for Makoun?).
Ireland — on the way out (can’t even make the bench without Bradley in the squad)
Hogg – maybe but just isn’t the finished product yet. Still gaping holes in his play right now.
Bannan — also maybe but lacking in defense and doesn’t have Bradley’s height, size and experience (1st team play in Europe as well as plenty of International caps)
Delph — maybe but he is young and seems to be fragile. Hasn’t yet proven himself.
Pires? Osbourne? Salifou?
I think in the end Bradley comes in for the rest of the year, just like Walker and plays a key role. In the end, Delph, Bannan, Hogg and Bradley have to the end of the season to audition for one of 2 or 3 slots on the team. Given the age of all four, we could conceivably keep all of them. Not a bad situation at all.
i just had to check the piece i wrote about bob bradley at the time to see whether i cheekily suggested that a plus point might be access to his son. i didn’t, but i was thinking it as i recall. (easy to say now, isn’t it?)
as i say, as long as this deal is done with the intention of making it permanent, even if that fact remains private (in which case i don’t know how i’ll know), i’m very happy. he’s a great player.
possibly jimmy milners replacement!