Having made some decent early moves to reshape the squad over the summer as Steven Gerrard headed into his first full year (and pre-season) with Aston Villa, whilst we had seen plenty of departures in more recent weeks, potential further signings seemed to evaporate.
After an unequivocally disastrous start to the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, it looked like deadline day could well be a busy one as we went in search of a massive sticky plaster and the first player through the door was slightly unexpected – Wolverhampton Wanderers and Belgian international Leander Dendoncker. The second one was expected, but just as underwhelming – Southampton and Poland international, Jan Bednarek on a season long loan deal.
Aston Villa is pleased to announce the signing of Leander Dendoncker from Wolverhampton Wanderers. ✅
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 1, 2022
27-year-old versatile midfielder Dendoncker makes the switch from Molyneux for an undisclosed fee and having come through Anderlecht’s ranks, he made the switch to Wolves back in the 2018/19 season, racking up over 150 appearances for them across all competitions.
Speaking to the Official Site after his signing was confirmed, Dendoncker sounded quite happy at the move, but I feel it’s a signing that will split fans.
“I’m very excited to have signed for Villa. It’s a new challenge for me. I’m really excited to be here and I’ve already been shown around the training ground. I can feel that this a big club, you can just feel it. I obviously know the players from playing against them, and I know it’s a very good team with good players. I’m really happy to be here.”
“I can feel that this a big club, you can just feel it.” 👊
Leander Dendoncker's first interview as an Aston Villa player. 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/NazS9CQK5J
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 1, 2022
Dendoncker has been handed the No 32 shirt for the remainder of 2022/23.
26-year-old centre half Bednarek comes in for the rest of the season with no indication there is a buy clause – so clearly he’s a panic move after we already knew Diego Carlos was injured for a few months, but still decided to loan out Kortney Hause.
Welcome to Aston Villa, Jan Bednarek. 🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/JBDKv05MgB
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 1, 2022
The Pole arrived at Southampton back in 2017 and has made over 150 appearances for them since, and he also featured at the 2018 World Cup for his country.
Upon his arrival, he’s certainly saying all the right things, and like Dendoncker, I welcome them both and I hope they become legends and he is absolutely not a bad player at all.
“I’m happy, excited and looking forward to a new adventure for me. It’s a great opportunity for me and another great step. It’s really important for me to move to a bigger club and to improve as a player, and Villa is the best place for me to do that. It’s a massive club in England. Coming from Poland, I wasn’t aware how big Villa is. I think the fans are amazing, the stadium’s amazing and also the training ground. I’m really happy to be joining this club.”
“I’m happy, excited and looking forward to a new adventure for me.” 🙌
The first interview with Jan Bednarek, following his arrival on a season-long loan. 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/ulYHtBgfCa
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 1, 2022
Bednarek will sport the No 20 shirt for the remainder of the year.
But if Gerrard’s biggest selling point is ‘he can attract players’ then continuing to employ tactics that don’t suit them, will mean that these two new faces won’t actually have much of an impact at all.
And we need them to have an impact as another underwhelming transfer window could lead to a far more underwhelming season again.
Did Villa Do Enough This Window
Yes, Give Them Time
Not A Chance, I'm Worried
