Aston Villa signed Boubacar Kamara on a free transfer from Olympique Marseille this summer and he’s taken little time to make an impact in the Premier League.

Tim Iroegbunam wasn’t ready to step up to the first-team this season, so Steven Gerrard scoured the transfer market for an upgrade on Marvelous Nakamba and Morgan Sanson.

He found it in Kamara, with the 22-year-old making seven appearances in all competitions and amassing 596 minutes of playing time. Only four central midfielders have made more tackles (19) than Kamara in the Premier League, so he’s one of the best ball-winners and didn’t cost Villa a transfer fee.

The French international has made four interceptions, blocked 13 shots/passes, made seven clearances and has completed 83.5% of his passes from his six league outings. Kamara isn’t in the side to create chances or drive with the ball from deep, his job to protect the backline by any means necessary.

He’s accomplishing that better than any other Villa player, so the scouting team have pulled off a real coup with Kamara – Gerrard said back in July that he turned down Champions League clubs for Villa too.

In other news, Frederic Guilbert must be struggling after transfer disappointment