Cuellar likely to stay for another season

[Rip Van We Go Again]

birminghammail.net

CARLOS Cuellar is likely to remain at Villa Park next season and see out the final year of his contract.

New boss Alex McLeish wants to see what the 29-year-old is made of before deciding on his future.

Glasgow giants Rangers have already had a £1.5 million bid turned down for Cuellar, who arrived in an £8 million deal from Ibrox in 2008.

Any further bids are likely to be resisted as McLeish looks to build a squad capable of improving on last season’s ninth-place finish.

Cuellar has admitted in the past that a move back to Scotland would interest him but he is also happy to see out his fourth year at Villa Park.

There are still question marks over whether Rangers could afford to pay his wages anyway, even if he was prepared to sign on reduced terms.

The former Osasuna defender is one of only a few players to have met new manager McLeish as he has been recovering from an ankle injury at Bodymoor Heath while the majority of the squad are enjoying their summer holidays.

And although there have not been any in-depth talks between the two, McLeish is believed to want to keep the Spanish centre-half on board.

Cuellar could be back in light training by the time the players return for pre-season next Friday, giving him the chance to impress the new boss.

Having spent the summer at Villa’s training facility, he admits that things are starting to look up.

“The recovery is going well, I’m gaining strength and in a couple weeks I’ll be training with the team,” Cuellar said.

“If there is no complication I’ll be ready for the first game, away at Fulham. I hope we have a better season this year.”

Cuellar is a well-liked figure at Villa because of his jovial and bubbly personality.

Very rarely is he seen without a smile on his face and his jokes have made him one of the most popular players in the dressing room.

His experience is also good for some of the younger pros, who can look up to him and take advice that will help further their careers.

At former club Blues, McLeish managed to build a squad with a great team spirit and Cuellar is a player who fits into his mould.

Last season the Spaniard was often overlooked by Gerard Houllier as he made just 16 appearances in all competitions.

Niggling injuries at the start and end of the season also played a part as he was no exception to one of the most crippling injury crisis’ ever to hit the club.

[Matt C]

Right decision.

[PeterWithe]

One of those players who gets better with every game he doesn't play in.

[Monty]

He's not just a good player, he's one of the few genuinely positive influences we have in the dressing room.

[Merv]

Good. Said a week or so ago if that the best offer on the table is £1.5m from Rangers, we're best off keeping Carlos. Can't buy any kind of replacement for that money, and at 29 he's got plenty of football left in him.

[Greg N'Ash]

Worth keeping to see if AM can get him back to the form he showed before MON broke him by playing him at right-back

[Mr Diggles]

Ironically though, those forlorn months at right back improved, ever so slightly, his ability to play the ball when in possessino. I think he is one of the better centre backs we have, so it's good to see him stay. He should have been played a lot more than he has been to date though, and preferably in the centre.

[JJ-AV]

I'd ship him out and get the money for him. He's gonna be third choice at best, and he'll be off next Summer anyway.

[darren woolley]

I want him to stay Carlos and Clark would be my ideal pairing next season.

[UK Redsox]

One of those players who gets better with every game he doesn't play in.

aka "the theory of back up Quarterbacks"

[Matt C]

If he's only going to fetch a couple of million I don't see the point in selling him now, may as well hang on and take the contract gamble.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I'm pleased with this.
A much better option than letting Rangers have him for next to fuck all.

[UsualSuspect]

I'd ship him out and get the money for him. He's gonna be third choice at best, and he'll be off next Summer anyway.

Tend to agree

We can't afford to keep spunking 8 million on a player then getting sod all back

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I'd ship him out and get the money for him. He's gonna be third choice at best, and he'll be off next Summer anyway.

If he is a 3rd choice, he's a quality 3rd choice, better than the likes of Baker.
If we want a strong squad then we have to pay the money for good players to sit on the bench.
Plus, his attitude is always spot on.

[Villa'Zawg]

A terrific defender who can play at centre-back or right-back, we'll be stronger with him than without.