According to a recent report by the Turkish news outlet Turkiye (transcripted and translated by Sport Witness), Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis is gathering interest from Turkey this summer. The same source has also stated that Besiktas boss Sergen Yalcin is a huge admirer of the forward and even likens him to a ‘young Emmanuel Adebayor’. Yalcin reckons that the Villans marksman could be a big success story in Turkish football if he manages to land him during the summer transfer period (via Turkiye).
Davis’ Growing Struggles At Villa Park This Season
The Stevenage-born talent has endured another frustrating season at Villa Park after struggling to secure regular first-team football under the stewardship of Dean Smith. He has made 14 appearances for the West Midlands outfit this term, scoring one goal and providing one assist across all fronts, which highlight his lack of productivity up top.
Davis has just received a total of 411 minutes of game time so far this season that has hampered his progress in England. He had averaged 0.9 shots, 0.4 key passes and 0.8 dribbles per game in the Premier League before the football world came to an unexpected halt because of the COVID-19 pandemic. His stats can be a bit misleading as most of his appearances this season has come from the bench. (Stats from Whoscored)
The 22-year-old has also represented England at the Under-20 level but is nowhere near Gareth Southgate’s first-team picture at the moment. Maybe a summer switch to Turkey could offer him a chance to earn regular first-team starts next season which might help him stake a claim in the Three Lions squad in the years to come.
What Does The English Prospect Add To Dean Smith’s Side?
Davis can use his pace and agility to make some well-timed runs in behind the last line of the opposition defence. He is a dominant presence up top as he can overpower his marker by utilizing his upper-body strength which also allows him to hold the ball up and get others involved in the opposition half. The English youngster is a hard-working centre-forward but lacks consistency in terms of goal-scoring and assist-making contributions in the final third. He is still quite raw and would need time to hone his skills before he is ready to prove his worth at the highest level.
Should The Villans Sanction Davis’ Departure This Summer?
Maybe a chance of scenery could offer him the opportunity to make a fresh start away from his homeland. Smith has struggled to get the best out of Davis over the past few seasons. Hence, its high time that the Villans head coach allowed the striker to leave in search of greener pastures in the coming seasons.
The West Midlands giants should consider parting ways with him when his contract runs out at the end of this campaign as he is not consistent enough to be a regular starter at Villa Park. Smith should instead focus on recruiting a prolific forward this summer especially if his side can find a way to avoid relegation when the Premier League resumes later this month.
