While the ever-quotable Brian Clough has never said anything to the likes of ”to hell with statistics, it’s the football that matters”; I think it is a safe bet to assume he shared the sentiment. Now, why did I decide to bring up Brian Clough for something he did not even say? Because it is fun to imagine him looking at Aston Villa winger Albert Adomah and mouthing something off to that effect from the sidelines. Believe it or not, going just by stats, Adomah had the best season of his life in the 2017-18 season, scoring 14 goals and assisting five times.
This piece of data certainly did not affect most Aston Villa fans on Monday night as they were not shy in showing their disappointment about the winger’s performance on social media. Granted Adomah was a bit rusty, but the verdict from the Villan fans was damning and indicative of them wanting change. Now here comes the double whammy for the Ghanain. The Birmingham Mail is reporting that Aston Villa does not even want to negotiate a contract with Adomah.
Here is some personal opinion of mine, when someone says they do not even want to negotiate, you try to leave IMMEDIATELY. Thankfully for Adomah, there is still one day left in the transfer window, and it seems like there is no lack of interest in him. According to the same Birmingham Mail report, Leeds United and Middlesbrough have both held initial talks with Aston Villa over the transfer of the winger.
Does It Make Sense For Bielsa To Go For The Player?
Many fans must have been hoping for Bielsa to go with his ‘legendary’ 3-3-3-1 formation in the match against Stoke City, but instead, they found Leeds United going with a 4-3-3 formation with a firm reliance on the play from the wings. Bielsa currently only has Jack Harrison (loanee from Man City) as an out and out option at right wing. While makeshift alternatives are there, there is no one who can make this position on the field his own. Yes, Adomah is primarily a left winger, but he can play on the right as well, having started there extensively earlier in his career. Even if we consider him playing on the left, he is an upgrade over Alioski.
As such, it is no surprise that Leeds United have opened talks for someone who has scored 14 goals from the wings last season. While the opening game has gone great for the Whites, everyone knows that the main issue they would probably face this season is scoring goals, notwithstanding the Patrick Bamford buy. Here is a proven man in the Championship, at 30, not going to cost an arm and a leg, which makes the decision a straightforward one for Bielsa.
Additional Information On The player
However, if you are still not convinced, I don’t know what else can I say to change your mind. One of his best traits is that he tracks back, always, to help his fullbacks and that would endear him to Bielsa. Great at crossing, so that is something for Bamford to look forward to if the Ghanian makes a move. Honestly, from where we are sitting, Bielsa must see this done at any cost.
Oh and by the way, statistics might not be the most important thing in a football field, but it is pretty darn important.
