Steven Gerrard wanted to sign Conor Gallagher this summer as he feels Aston Villa are missing an all-round midfielder who can turn over possession and create chances at the other end, but it’s unlikely they’ll bring him to the Midlands as Chelsea are keeping him at Stamford Bridge after last season’s impressive loan at Crystal Palace.
That would force Gerrard to turn his attentions elsewhere, but Frank McAvennie says the 42-year-old manager won’t bring in anyone for the sake of it. He told Football Insider: “Steven Gerrard has had a chance to have a look at the team. He knows a lot about football. He’s not going to bring anyone in just to be a squad player. He’ll want to bring somebody in that will adjust the team.
“I don’t know who they’re going to bring in but they need to bring in somebody in midfield. They need that quality and depth but they have to bring in quality. They can’t just bring somebody in for the sake of it.” Douglas Luiz is one player that may need replacing as he’s out of contract in 2023 without a new deal on the horizon, but Villa aren’t close to signing an alternative.
McAvennie is right to warn Gerrard, as his job could be on the line if Villa struggle this season. He’d have to take the fall for bad recruitment too. Gallagher is a talented player but too ambitious a signing given he’ll be at Chelsea this season, so clubs need to work fast to bring hot prospects in.
The only midfielder signed by Villa this summer is Boubacar Kamara on a free transfer from Olympique Marseille. Whether another one is brought in before the season starts remains to be seen.
In other news, Wesley Moraes loaned out to Levante after failed loan in Brazil
