Dean Jones says Steven Gerrard is still after a central midfielder this summer, though Aston Villa aren’t close to agreeing a deal for anyone.
The Midlands outfit aren’t short of options with John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey, Douglas Luiz, Marvelous Nakamba, Morgan Sanson and new-boy Boubacar Kamara, but Jones believes there could be one more addition before the new season starts.
He told Give Me Sport: “I think they’re still looking for a centre midfielder that can go into that team and start games. They’re still looking at a big addition, it’s just about finding the right type of player.”
With Gerrard having an overabundance with ball-winners, he’s got his sights set on a more creative talent this summer. Conor Gallagher would be the ideal acquisition, scoring eight goals with five assists from 39 games last season, but it doesn’t appear he’ll be attainable as Chelsea plan to play him.
The 22-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements by Thomas Tuchel, so he was loaned out to Crystal Palace and was outstanding in South London. Not only did Gallagher have a hand in 11 goals from 34 Premier League outings, he created 38 chances and made 43 successful dribbles while averaging a tackle (68) or interception (29) every 29 minutes.
The England international has impressed Tuchel enough to earn a spot in Chelsea’s first-team, so Villa are likely to miss out.
In other news, Steven Gerrard should keep Frederic Guilbert and loan out Kaine Kessler Hayden
