In a recent report, Fichajes stated that Aston Villa are locked in a three-way battle for Real Betis playmaker Nabil Fekir. It has been mentioned that the Villans could face competition in the form of Newcastle United and Manchester City in pursuit of the French attacker.
Fekir’s Impressive Form In Spanish Football Last Season
Fekir had a fruitful season in La Liga as he managed to produce several match-winning displays while acting as a key member of Betis’ attack. The Lyon-born sensation deserves a lot of credit for scoring ten goals and earning ten assists in 47 matches for the Spanish club in the previous campaign across various competitions.
The 29-year-old was a consistent performer in the attacking end of the field based on his average of 2.5 shots, 2.5 key passes and 2.4 dribbles per game in La Liga. He was even accurate with his ball distribution after making 86.4% of his attempted passes in the Spanish top tier (stats via whoscored).
At 29, Fekir might still have a few good years left in him as long as he can steer clear of injuries. Therefore, he could be a decent signing for the Villans this month.
Is Fekir A Good Option For Aston Villa Head Coach Steven Gerrard?
Fekir is an excellent dribbler with the ball and can create some inviting opportunities for his teammates to find the back of the net. He can shoot the ball with power and precision from long range and can retain possession effortlessly in the final third. Fekir mainly operates as an attacking midfielder but can also fill in as a winger on either flank if his manager tells him to do so.
The French talent has what it takes to make a real difference at a club like Aston Villa. He will undeniably offer some healthy competition for Philippe Coutinho and Emiliano Buendia for a regular starting spot at Villa Park in the coming seasons.
Thus, Steven Gerrard should focus on getting a deal done for Fekir as he could be a key asset in his squad over the next few years. The Frenchman will add more goals and creativity to the Villans‘ frontline but might need time to adapt to life in English football.
Still, the pros outweigh the cons of recruiting Fekir as he is good enough to help the West Midlands club compete for a top-eight finish in the Premier League this season.
