Summer 2015 - Transfer Rumours, Speculation & Suggestions

[SoccerHQ]

The way Bacuna is crossing the ball, I think in limited sub appearences next season Kozak would score more than Bent so I'd still release him as I believe Darren Bent is finished at prem level now even as a sub.

[OCD]

If Bent did come back I think it's safe to assume that he wouldn't be getting paid nearly as much as he was.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I think TS is simply sending out positive vibes after telling Bent he can go on holiday rather than be at VP/BH.
I think that says it all really.

I think far too much!
UTV!

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

On Kozak, thought he was very immobile pre broken leg. Good finisher but not sure like we saw with Bent if we can afford to carry such a player.

My take on Kozak is that he isn't speedy but he's a clever player and that speed of thought is a valuable asset. Knows the right runs to make and has a knack of knowing where to position himself for maximum effect. The goals he scored were very much putting himself in the right place at the right time.  No way he's a passenger and he works a lot harder outside of the box that DB. 

IMHO Kozak is a sort of old-style CF.
He puts himself about, makes the defenders work their balls off and knows where the goal is given a chance.
I look back positively on his games v ManC and Soton last season - in the ManC game he was a constant nuisance to their defence which eventually led to the winning goal. I bet Kompany and his CB mate knew they'd been in a game that day. At Soton, pretty much the same, but he had one decent cross and buried it! He then celebrated like a man possessed with the travelling Villa faithful.
I like him.
A proper old school CF.

Get yer boots laced up Libor!

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

btw: D Bent can leave with our blessing and earn a crust elsewhere.


Wouldn't surprise me if he turned up in Smethwick.

[KRS]

Watching Bent now on Fantasy Football Club...Merse asked him about Villa and pretty much said he's leaving his options open now that he'll be a free agent, confirmed he can't play for us this season and that he'll have a chat with TS in the summer.

He comes across as a nice bloke but he's got a very relaxed attitude to everything which pretty much describes his playing style. He mentioned that he has to wait for goal scoring chances to come along but doesn't dwell on it too much if he misses as he'll wait for the next one...the fact that he's incapable of creating chances for himself and needs them laid on a plate for him is exactly why Bent isn't good enough at Premier League level.

[glester]

Swindon Town star Massimo Luongo comments on rumours of Aston Villa transfer

http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/05/07/swindon-town-star-massimo-luongo-comments-on-rumours-of-aston-vi/

Swindon Town ace Massimo Luongo has admitted that recent transfer speculation has affected his performance.

Swindon Town midfielder Massimo Luongo has told The Sun that recent rumours of a move to Aston Villa have been affecting him.

Luongo, 22, has been one of the stars of the League One season, contributing six goals for the Robins as Mark Cooper's men push for promotion to the Championship.

Yet with Swindon set to face Sheffield United in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals tonight, Luongo has admitted that recent transfer speculation is bothering him.

The Daily Mail recently reported that Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood is looking to reunite with Luongo this summer, having worked with the Australian international at Tottenham.

Having left White Hart Lane in search of first team football, Luongo has shown why is regarded as one of the Football League's finest young playmakers, so it's no surprise to read that Sherwood is allegedly interested in adding him to his squad at Aston Villa.

However, with the transfer window drawing ever closer, Luongo has told The Sun that the rumours about a move to Villa Park have affected him, and he needs to put the thoughts of a reunion with Sherwood to the back of his mind, and focus on Swindon's play-off campaign.

"The speculation has all been playing on my mind a little bit and I just have to force myself not to worry about it," said Luongo. "I need to fully focus on Swindon and do my bit to get us promoted."

"It has all been a distraction. I do my best not to think about it but it’s human nature to ponder over these things and think about the future. Some fans have been criticising me a bit for my performances but I always do my best," he added.

Would Luongo be a good signing for Aston Villa?

Has anyone seen him?

Yes, saw him play in all of the games for Australia in the recent Asia Cup here in Aus.  I didn't know much about him before the tournament except that a few of our media pundits were calling for him to be given a go in our side as we were needing a playmaker of sorts.   I was pleasantly surprised to see how good he was given where he was playing his domestic football.  He's a hard worker and likes to carry the ball where he can.  Very good with his feet and doesn't usually lose the ball in possession and can get himself out of tight positions.  Can pass the ball quite well too and has a good creative ball to unlock the defense.  Pleasingly he also works hard backwards and regularly tracks back with a well timed tackle to win possession back.  Not sure what he's been like for Swindon but he is only young and has really big potential and has shown he can lift his game when playing with better people around him.  Scored 2 goals and had 4 assists at the tournament with his best in the final i think.

Again I've only seen him in the 5 or 6 games in the tournament however he easily justified winning player of the tournament and I would be stoked if we got him at Villa.

Youtube clip here if you're interested.

[Dante Lavelli]

Thanks Glester. 

He plays a bit like Grealish but on the right and has a noticeably different, bigger physique.  Not sure he is what we need as I think pace (a la Gabby/Sinclair) will complement Grealish better.  But as an alternative to Grealish - he is still young - then this chap could do.

[ciggiesnbeer]

I think signing Bent would be a mistake.

Me too. Its a bad relationship. It just needs to end, for his sake and ours.

What bad relationship? I don't remember him falling out with the club. Yeah he didn't see eye to eye with Lambert, but he's gone now (thank god). There was no fall out with the fans either from what I rememeber.
If he comes back he'll be backed by everyone at the club.

Oh no I didnt mean that way. I mean we are not helping each other any more. We are not helping his career and he was not helping us much when he was last playing. Some of that is Lambert, some the kind of player he is and some of it is his form.

I like Bent, he kept us up, but I think its time for everyone to move on. I just do not see him fitting into our play style these days I mean a couple of games ago Benteke was the player with the most touches in a game. Thats the kind of role Sherwood demands of his forwards. Bent's not that kind of player.

[Dante Lavelli]

I think signing Bent would be a mistake.

Me too. Its a bad relationship. It just needs to end, for his sake and ours.

What bad relationship? I don't remember him falling out with the club. Yeah he didn't see eye to eye with Lambert, but he's gone now (thank god). There was no fall out with the fans either from what I rememeber.
If he comes back he'll be backed by everyone at the club.

Oh no I didnt mean that way. I mean we are not helping each other any more. We are not helping his career and he was not helping us much when he was last playing. Some of that is Lambert, some the kind of player he is and some of it is his form.

I like Bent, he kept us up, but I think its time for everyone to move on. I just do not see him fitting into our play style these days I mean a couple of games ago Benteke was the player with the most touches in a game. Thats the kind of role Sherwood demands of his forwards. Bent's not that kind of player.

I'd agree with that ciggiesnbeer.  The only way I could see it working was if Bent was used as an insurance for Kozak as he returns from injury.  That would give us Benteke, Kozak and Gabby as strikers with Bent covering for injuries (I think Weimann should be cashed in). 

I think Bent deserves a better situation than that.  At his age he should want to play every week.

[DrGonzo]

Okay, so if Sunderland take the drop, which is distinctly possible unless they win today, what would H+V's reaction be to the signing of... *deep breath* _{Lee Cattermole}.  Ye gods I feel a bit dirty just for having thought that.  His disciplinary record aside he is the type of player that would sit very well in front of the defence, he has a greater range of passing than Westwood or Sanchez, and strength besides.  Oh so he'll end up at West Brom with Pulis then, won't he?

[tomd2103]

Okay, so if Sunderland take the drop, which is distinctly possible unless they win today, what would H+V's reaction be to the signing of... *deep breath* _{Lee Cattermole}.  Ye gods I feel a bit dirty just for having thought that.  His disciplinary record aside he is the type of player that would sit very well in front of the defence, he has a greater range of passing than Westwood or Sanchez, and strength besides.  Oh so he'll end up at West Brom with Pulis then, won't he?

It's a no from me Doctor.  Would take Westwood over him any day. 

[richard moore]

Okay, so if Sunderland take the drop, which is distinctly possible unless they win today, what would H+V's reaction be to the signing of... *deep breath* _{Lee Cattermole}.  Ye gods I feel a bit dirty just for having thought that.  His disciplinary record aside he is the type of player that would sit very well in front of the defence, he has a greater range of passing than Westwood or Sanchez, and strength besides.  Oh so he'll end up at West Brom with Pulis then, won't he?

Have you seen your doctor recently?

[UK Redsox]

Okay, so if Sunderland take the drop, which is distinctly possible unless they win today, what would H+V's reaction be to the signing of... *deep breath* _{Lee Cattermole}.  Ye gods I feel a bit dirty just for having thought that.  His disciplinary record aside he is the type of player that would sit very well in front of the defence, he has a greater range of passing than Westwood or Sanchez, and strength besides.  Oh so he'll end up at West Brom with Pulis then, won't he?

In a similar vein, if Newcastle continue their collapse, how about Jack Colback ?

[SoccerHQ]

Okay, so if Sunderland take the drop, which is distinctly possible unless they win today, what would H+V's reaction be to the signing of... *deep breath* _{Lee Cattermole}.  Ye gods I feel a bit dirty just for having thought that.  His disciplinary record aside he is the type of player that would sit very well in front of the defence, he has a greater range of passing than Westwood or Sanchez, and strength besides.  Oh so he'll end up at West Brom with Pulis then, won't he?

Never rated him at all so no. Don't see where he fits into our dynamic, quick passing midfield.