Jaden Philogene-Bidace has an uncertain future at Aston Villa as he will be out of contract this summer and has been linked with Ajax, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
The 19-year-old has risen from the youth ranks to the fringes of the first team, training with the senior squad this season, but he has yet to make his senior debut.
In a Q& A for The Athletic, Gregg Evans hinted that Villa want to keep Philogene-Bidace and fellow youngster Aaron Ramsey. However, while he feels there is a strong chance of the latter staying, he added that “it’s a little more complicated with Philogene-Bidace”, who is a year older than Ramsey and due to be out of contract this summer.
The 19-year-old has made 15 appearances for Aston Villa’s under-18s, scoring nine goals and supplying one assist. At under-23 level, he has scored five goals and provided two assists in 18 games. [Transfermarkt]
The England under-19 international is yet to make the step up to first team level, though, as he has Jack Grealish, Bertrand Traore, Anwar El Ghazi and Trezeguet standing in his way of getting game-time under Dean Smith.
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However, with El Ghazi being dropped after underperforming in Villa’s 3-1 defeat to West Ham recently and Trezeguet having a hand in only one goal from 13 Premier League games this season, perhaps Philogene-Bidace deserves a chance to prove his worth.
Villa can’t afford to lose such a talented academy player, but they also can’t expect to hold onto him if he is not getting first team opportunities, so time will tell whether he extends his contract beyond this summer.
