---
title: "Steven Gerrard has difficult decision to make on Traore’s future"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2022/06/19/steven-gerrard-has-difficult-decision-to-make-on-bertrand-traores-future/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2022-06-19T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2022-06-19T07:00:00Z"
---

# Steven Gerrard has difficult decision to make on Traore’s future

[Bertrand Traore looked destined to leave Aston Villa this summer](https://readastonvilla.com/2022/05/16/bertrand-traore-has-no-future-in-steven-gerrards-system/) due to injuries and a lack of playing time under Steven Gerrard, but [Ekrem Konur](https://twitter.com/Ekremkonur/status/1538135422399815683) says the 26-year-old may still have a future at Villa Park if he impresses in pre-season.

Traore spend the second half of the campaign sidelined with injury, barely came off the bench when he was fit, so [Gerrard hasn’t seen a lot of the Burkina Faso international](https://readastonvilla.com/2022/05/19/alan-hutton-tips-steven-gerrard-to-move-out-bertrand-traore/). Villa’s 42-year-old manager wants to run the rule over him ahead of next season, so there’s a chance he could stay.

Traore [joined](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bertrand-traore/transfers/spieler/131996) the Claret and Blues on a four-year deal from Olympique Lyonnais in 2020, setting the club back £16.5m. The 26-year-old has gone on to make 48 appearances, scoring eight goals with seven assists, but things spiralled after his debut season.

Traore has made only [10 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bertrand-traore/leistungsdaten/spieler/131996) this campaign, amassing just 277 minutes of football, failing to score or make an assist. Gerrard [reportedly](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/11/23/fans-on-social-media-react-as-steven-gerrard-could-axe-bertrand-traore-in-january/) wanted to move him on in January, but there hasn’t been suitors until now. *Konur* says four clubs are interested, so Villa might be able to get their money back.

But if Traore shows quality in pre-season, he could be a valuable asset. The 26-year-old has two years remaining at Villa, so Gerrard can afford to wait a year before making a decision on his future.

***[In other news, here are the pros and cons of Aston Villa signing Gareth Bale](https://readastonvilla.com/2022/06/19/pros-and-cons-of-aston-villa-signing-gareth-bale/)***