Will the dream of signing Rabiot match Bellingham shoes at Aston Villa or is Villa aiming too big as Champions League Campaign seems tougher!
David Ornstein, the transfer correspondent for The Athletic, has reported that Aston Villa has successfully complied with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability (PSR) rules. As a result, Unai Emery can now focus on bolstering his Champions League-qualified side.
This is significant news because Aston Villa was under pressure to lose points or face other sanctions during an era of achievements. After Newcastle United set the precedent, Villa shocked the big six, implying that the Premier League is possibly poised experiencing a new era of development from clubs that are usually lower down in the league table.
Remember that just five years ago, Aston Villa sank in the Championship, seemingly lacking direction or purpose, until events took a turn for the better and the Midlands club grabbed the lead. Ornstein confirms the fact that Villans are ready to go after several transfer targets after recently occupying a spot at Europe’s elite table.
Aston Villa transfers
The lengthy transfer saga surrounding Douglas Luiz is about to come to an end as the Brazil international signs a contract with Juventus, while Samuel-Iling Junior and Enzo Barrenechea shift to a different direction.
According to TEAMtalk, Villa is in the running to recruit Adrien Rabiot, a French midfielder whose contract with Juventus expires this summer, along with a number of other elite European teams, most notably Manchester United.
Adrien Rabiot and the Old Lady got into talks regarding contract extension, but unfortunately, a truce was not found, which has allowed potential suitors to present their bids.
Additionally, it is stated that “Emery wants a particular kind of midfielder,” with Matteo Guendouzi and Rabiot being the two preferred candidates. Being a versatile player, the 29-year-old would bring a great deal of depth to Emery’s team.
How Adrien Rabiot might fit in at Aston Villa
Despite nearing third century of his life, Rabiot is a standout player for Les Bleus at Euro 2024, possessing the kind of strong physicality Emery values in his players. Most importantly to note, Villa may receive two gifted players in exchange for Luiz’s departure, but they are both young (20 and 23 years old, respectively) and have not much game experience. This reality favors Rabiot since he has both persistence and experience, which is crucial.
As per FBref’s report, Rabiot ranks among the top 11% of center midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for goals scored, the top 14% for progressive carries, the top 8% for touches within the attacking penalty area, and the top 11% for aerial duels won per ninety minutes, according to FBref. If Emery is successful in signing the France international, who excels in a variety of areas, he might be viewed as Villa’s very own Jude Bellingham.
How Bellingham and Rabiot are similar?
Bellingham doesn’t need an introduction after becoming one of the greatest players in the world at the age of 20 and soaring to the top of the football league. In May of his first season at Real Madrid, he conquered Europe after joining from Borussia Dortmund in a transaction that increased to £115 million last summer.
Bellingham finished the previous season with a perfect record of 42 games played, 23 goals and 13 assists, good for the top 2% of positional peers in goals scored, the top 3% in blocks, and the top 19% in aerial duels won per ninety.
To further emphasize the player’s exceptionally well-rounded skill set—which has many traits with Rabiot’s—let’s compare his seasonal statistics in La Liga to the £146k-per-week Frenchman’s in Italy.
Though Bellingham seems to be the better goal scorer—and perhaps the most creative and crisp player in possession as well—Rabiot has played a more box-to-box role than his English counterpart, who has essentially served as a box-crashing forward for the majority of the season. We’re willing to take criticism for this.
Despite their different positions, Rabiot is still as accurate in both his ball-carrying and duel success rates. He also shows that he is more aggressive and energetic, producing six huge opportunities versus Bellingham’s seven. Football journalist Robin Bairner has even called the Juventus star a “beast.”
Rabiot tried to manipulate his country’s goalie last weekend, missing numerous opportunities to get past the Netherlands net. However, Rabiot is not known for his frivolity; in the recently concluded Serie A season, he only missed two significant opportunities.
According to Sofascore, he won all seven of his fought duels, completed 97% of his passes, finished all four of his dribbles, delivered four crucial passes, and even contributed three tackles versus the Dutch. Overall, it was an appearance that demonstrated his extraordinary abilities, tarnished by one or two missed opportunities that left the public with the impression that he was unimpressive.
Villa, the transfer team, Emery, and Monchi. The elite players of the previous season in the Premier League will have examined the underlying data and concluded for themselves that Rabiot is a player who can have a significant impact on their team, particularly when they play in the Champions League.
Though some would laugh at the idea that Rabiot could play at Villa Park as Emery’s personal Bellingham, the Frenchman is a forward with a fierce and fluid movement style, one that is also switched on during defensive phases. He also possesses an innate understanding of the game, which is evident in his link-up play and spatial awareness.
In addition, he is excellent at scoring goals; he netted 11 goals in the 2022–2023 campaign to demonstrate this. Previously praised as “world class, an extraordinary player” by former Les Bleus great and fellow countryman David Trezeguet.
While Manchester United and other teams are interested in him, Villa would do well to recruit him to their ranks. Additionally, Emery’s project may entice him to try his hand at Villa Park, where he may play a key part for the Lions.
