With the summer transfer rumour mill in full flow for Aston Villa following our successful return to the Premier League under head coach Dean Smith via the Championship Play-Off route, we have a new name in the frame this week – Huddersfield Town’s Dutch international defender Terence Kongolo.
The 25-year-old made well over 100 appearances for Feyenoord as he came through their youth ranks, but a less than successful spell at Monaco following and he found himself at the John Smith’s Stadium on a loan spell in the second half of the 2017/18 campaign and it was far from a bitter move.
They thought he was quite tasty and having impressed, they paid a whopping £17.5million for him last summer and he went on to feature in the Premier League 32 times, with one goal return. Their drop back to the Championship makes him an ideal candidate for sale, as with no disrespect meant, few tip them to challenge for promotion next year.
With four caps to his name and capable of playing at centre-half or left back, Examiner Live covered the speculation on Wednesday and quoted former head coach David Wagner on the players’ strengths when he made his return from injury last season, and helped them to their first win in the top flight.
“He is a warrior, a real warrior. This is what I loved from the first second we signed him last winter and why I was so keen on making him permanent. Once he puts the shirt on and steps on the grass he is a different character compared to what he is off it. He can help us. Because of him we are able to play different formations and both formations in a good defensive shape and good defensive mindset. When you imagine him playing his first game after his five weeks out, unfortunately, because of his injury, it makes his performance even bigger. He is very reliable, very strong in defending one against one and very calm on the ball as well. He likes to fight and he likes to win and he leaves everything on the grass. He is a typical left-footed warrior and I am very happy we have him back.”
I get the impression ‘he’s a warrior’ and it certainly sounds like the lad would tick a number of boxes given what Smith and CEO Christian Purslow have said about the type of players we are now looking to track and bring into the club, but I honestly can’t say I’ve seen much of him when it comes to real life.
He was great for me in FIFA 2012 if that helps anyone?
Last article by MF: Opinion – Villa Should Definitely Raid West Brom For This Man
