David O’Leary has said Wilfred Bouma came to Villa during ‘a very difficult season’ but tips the Dutch left-back to be a great asset for Villa next season.
Hey I totally agree with DOL!
The 27-year-old, who just missed out on the Dutch squad for the World Cup, had a stop/start season, following his arrival from PSV Eindhoven, due to injuries.
O’Leary told the official site:
‘I think he came here during a very difficult season. If you look at Arsene Wenger’s big signings, they hardly play during their first year. He paid £9.5m for Adebayor and he’s still finding his feet. Wilfred Bouma’s had to do the same. He was living in a hotel and he had to find a house, he picked up niggling injuries, which happens to foreign players when they come in. But I know we’ve got a good left-back for the future of this football club.’
‘His hunger and desire shows me that he’s up for it – he knew he was having a tough time settling in, but he wouldn’t let it get to him.’
O’Leary also says Bouma has the right attitude and ‘He’s a good, solid character and that’s what we want in here.’
Too right, like Kevin Phillips, we’ve yet to see the best of the player but he will shine for us!