In a recent interview with Villa News, BBC Sport pundit Alan Hutton revealed that Aston Villa midfielder Leander Dendoncker could leave the West Midlands club this January. Hutton said,
“When a new manager comes in, he will assess every player in the squad.
“He has given them ample opportunities in Europe and other competitions. For me, I don’t think he’s the go-to to take Villa to the next level.
“He’s obviously a good player, but I think it’s one the club will move on from in the near future.”
Dendoncker’s Sporadic Role At Villa Park This Season
Dendoncker has played an important role in Aston Villa‘s match-day squad this season but has struggled to nail down a regular spot in Unai Emery’s first XI. The Belgian sensation has featured in 12 matches for the Villans during this campaign in multiple competitions.
The 28-year-old has made all of his appearances off the bench which explains why he is only averaging 0.3 tackles and 0.5 clearances per game in Premier League football. However, he has lacked quality when distributing the ball from inside his half based on his pass success rate of 65% in the English top tier (stats via whoscored).
Should Aston Villa Boss Unai Emery Cut Dendoncker Loose This January?
Dendoncker is a good tackler of the ball and can time his challenges well to earn the ball back for his team when he is playing regularly and with confidence on the pitch. He usually puts his foot through the ball when the opposition are on the offensive. Dendoncker is primarily a defensive midfielder but can also play as a centre-back if needed. However, the Belgian midfield ace needs to find a way to improve his ball distribution from midfield.
Dendoncker has served as a valuable member of Unai Emery‘s match-day squad this season. However, the player needs a change of scenery if he wants to experience regular top-flight football once again. Thus, it is only fair to Dendoncker if the Villans allow him to leave in the upcoming winter transfer period.
At 28, Dendoncker has entered his prime but needs to earn more first-team opportunities if he wants to get his career back on track. Therefore, the West Midlands club should consider cutting him loose when the transfer window commences at the start of next year.
