In a recent report, Corriere dello Sport (via Roma Press) claimed that Aston Villa are preparing to move in for AS Roma defender Roger Ibanez this summer. It has been mentioned that the Villans are ready to launch a move to land the Brazilian sensation in this off-season.
Ibanez’s Impressive Form For Roma Last Season
Ibanez enjoyed a solid campaign in Italian football as he put in a series of impressive performances for Roma on the defensive third of the pitch. The 24-year-old scored three goals and picked up 14 yellow cards in 48 matches for the Italian club last season across various competitions.
The Brazilian talent was a consistent performer when defending inside his half based on his average of 2.0 tackles, 2.0 interceptions and 2.8 clearances per 90 minutes in Serie A. He was even accurate with his ball distribution after completing 88% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
Ibanez is under contract at the Italian club until the summer of 2025. Hence, the Villans will have to make a decent offer if they want to sign him during this summer transfer window.
What Will Ibanez Add To Aston Villa Boss Unai Emery’s Team?
Ibanez is a good tackler of the ball and can sense the danger well to secure possession back for his team inside his half. He usually puts his foot through the ball when required and is proficient at playing his way out from the back. Ibanez mainly functions as a central defender but can also play as a defensive midfielder or as a right-back if asked to do so.
We can expect the Brazilian defensive ace to enhance the quality of Aston Villa‘s starting XI. He would also increase competition for places within Unai Emery‘s match-day squad as long as the player can make a smooth transition to life in Premier League football.
At 24, the best is yet to come from Ibanez, so the Villans can expect to get the best out of him in the coming seasons. The Roma star will add more bite and steel to Emery’s defence and could even help the West Midlands club push for European football over the next few years.
