Adama Traore - CONFIRMED

[PeterWithe]

Ranieri didn't rate him high enough to actually get him.

You know that doesn't make sense, right?

Leicester offered more money to Nantes than we did and wanted to make him the most expensive signing in their history.

He (rather stupidly) had his heart set on joining us.

Ouch.

[ozzjim]

He may well do. I think we might be surprised at where some of our lot end up and how good they end up looking.

[oldhill_avfc]

Surprised?  Astounded more like.

Far better off cashing in on any potential sales value for any of the current midfield and letting the right manager start again.  More than worth the risk.

[old man villa fan]

Surprised?  Astounded more like.

Far better off cashing in on any potential sales value for any of the current midfield and letting the right manager start again.  More than worth the risk.

Why not wait and see what he can do next season with a consistent run of games and in a more attacking side. He came with potential, why not give him a chance at a lower level to develop his authority and confidence.

[Risso]

Ranieri didn't rate him high enough to actually get him.

You know that doesn't make sense, right?

Leicester offered more money to Nantes than we did and wanted to make him the most expensive signing in their history.

He (rather stupidly) had his heart set on joining us.

Ouch.

And Leicester have had to make do with Kante instead, and a saving of £2.5m.  Tough break.

[Edvard Remberg]

Maybe some of our players have performed poorly due to what they have been asked to do? Managers trying to use players for something they are not suitable for - this is what some think Klopp has done with Liverpool.

[Risso]

Maybe some of our players have performed poorly due to what they have been asked to do? Managers trying to use players for something they are not suitable for - this is what some think Klopp has done with Liverpool.

Probably Edvard.

Agbonlahor - being asked to run more than 100 metres in a game.
Gestede - being asked to trap a ball such that it doesn't resemble a Guzan goal kick
Westwood - making a tackle more than once a season
Richards and Lescott - concentrating for more than 5 minutes a game.

The poor, put-upon little loves!

[Hookeysmith]

Has it been suggested that as he came from Barcelona he might think he is Billy big bollocks and thinks he does not have to put the effort in?

I would like to see him playing off Gestede in a more central role. I could see him terrifying defences playing on their shoulders

[Dave]

Has it been suggested that as he came from Barcelona he might think he is Billy big bollocks and thinks he does not have to put the effort in?

I'd hope not, considering in his one full season to date Barcelona B finished bottom of the Spanish second division.

[SoccerHQ]

Has it been suggested that as he came from Barcelona he might think he is Billy big bollocks and thinks he does not have to put the effort in?

I would like to see him playing off Gestede in a more central role. I could see him terrifying defences playing on their shoulders

Disagree, was in the holte for Bournemouth and I remember with 10 minutes to go and 2 down Adama was sprinting to get the ball for Boruc to take a GK when most of the other players couldn't wait to get off the pitch.

Maybe on the training pitch he's a difficult character but it just baffles me he hasn't had a proper chance, surely he needs 4-5 starts in a row before we properly judge. We've been relegated for weeks and he still can't get anywhere near!

Personally hope he stays as most championship defences struggle against pace so think he'd create real havoc down there.

[paul_e]

Has it been suggested that as he came from Barcelona he might think he is Billy big bollocks and thinks he does not have to put the effort in?

I would like to see him playing off Gestede in a more central role. I could see him terrifying defences playing on their shoulders

Disagree, was in the holte for Bournemouth and I remember with 10 minutes to go and 2 down Adama was sprinting to get the ball for Boruc to take a GK when most of the other players couldn't wait to get off the pitch.

Maybe on the training pitch he's a difficult character but it just baffles me he hasn't had a proper chance, surely he needs 4-5 starts in a row before we properly judge. We've been relegated for weeks and he still can't get anywhere near!

Personally hope he stays as most championship defences struggle against pace so think he'd create real havoc down there.

As I've said before, if they're worried about his tracking back/defensive abilities then I can see the logic of not starting him, where it falls down for me is that we didn't give him half an hour against tiring defenders a lot more often, someone who goes from standing to full pace in 2-3 steps and has the ball on a string is deadly late in a game and should have, at the least, been our supersub.

[Toronto Villa]

Has it been suggested that as he came from Barcelona he might think he is Billy big bollocks and thinks he does not have to put the effort in?

I would like to see him playing off Gestede in a more central role. I could see him terrifying defences playing on their shoulders

Disagree, was in the holte for Bournemouth and I remember with 10 minutes to go and 2 down Adama was sprinting to get the ball for Boruc to take a GK when most of the other players couldn't wait to get off the pitch.

Maybe on the training pitch he's a difficult character but it just baffles me he hasn't had a proper chance, surely he needs 4-5 starts in a row before we properly judge. We've been relegated for weeks and he still can't get anywhere near!

Personally hope he stays as most championship defences struggle against pace so think he'd create real havoc down there.

As I've said before, if they're worried about his tracking back/defensive abilities then I can see the logic of not starting him, where it falls down for me is that we didn't give him half an hour against tiring defenders a lot more often, someone who goes from standing to full pace in 2-3 steps and has the ball on a string is deadly late in a game and should have, at the least, been our supersub.

the flaw in that argument of course is that we never actually played against tiring defenders because we were the laziest, fattest and un-fittest side on the planet.

[paul_e]

Has it been suggested that as he came from Barcelona he might think he is Billy big bollocks and thinks he does not have to put the effort in?

I would like to see him playing off Gestede in a more central role. I could see him terrifying defences playing on their shoulders

Disagree, was in the holte for Bournemouth and I remember with 10 minutes to go and 2 down Adama was sprinting to get the ball for Boruc to take a GK when most of the other players couldn't wait to get off the pitch.

Maybe on the training pitch he's a difficult character but it just baffles me he hasn't had a proper chance, surely he needs 4-5 starts in a row before we properly judge. We've been relegated for weeks and he still can't get anywhere near!

Personally hope he stays as most championship defences struggle against pace so think he'd create real havoc down there.

As I've said before, if they're worried about his tracking back/defensive abilities then I can see the logic of not starting him, where it falls down for me is that we didn't give him half an hour against tiring defenders a lot more often, someone who goes from standing to full pace in 2-3 steps and has the ball on a string is deadly late in a game and should have, at the least, been our supersub.

the flaw in that argument of course is that we never actually played against tiring defenders because we were the laziest, fattest and un-fittest side on the planet.

True of course but it should still have been the plan.

[PeterWithesShin]

OS

The last three months have been painful viewing for Adama Traore.

A claret-and-blue career that began so explosively was halted when the jet-heeled winger broke a bone in his foot during the New Year's Day clash at Sunderland.

The injury was sustained just minutes after Adama had shown another glimpse of his electrifying potential with an assist for Carles Gil's spectacular volley.

By the time the he returned to first team duty in our defeat to Bournemouth earlier this month, the club's Barclays Premier League fate was as good as sealed and the 20-year-old was left wondering what might have been.

He admits his enforced period of inactivity during Villa's slump left him feeling helpless.

"I felt sad because I couldn't help my team-mates," said the Barcelona academy graduate.

"Nobody likes to be at the bottom of the table and I have felt sad because I haven't been able to contribute to the team.

"It's been very frustrating watching on and not being able to get out there and make a difference on the pitch with my performances."

With relegation from the Barclays Premier League already confirmed, Villa are merely playing for pride in the final three games of the campaign.

But Adama insists there will be no let-up in his efforts.

National newspaper reporters picked up quotes wrongly attributed to him from a fake Facebook account saying he was angry at not being involved under Eric Black.

In reality, he realises he has to keep working hard to earn the respect of the football family.

"It is my dream to be the best player possible," he said.

"And when you have a dream you just follow it.

"I know that if I carrying on fighting I will make my dream come true.

"Over the past few months overall I have been working really hard.

"I haven't relaxed at all in my time off injured. I have been putting in the hours to be the best I possibly can be."

Opportunities to impress the Villa Park crowd may have been few and far between but Adama has still on occasions had supporters out of their seats.

Scoring against Notts County in the Capital One Cup on his home debut back in August 2015 is a moment he reflects on fondly.

"The stadium is incredible and it is just fantastic when everyone is happy and excited following a goal," he continued.

"I hope that is that is going to happen again soon - to get good vibes and see the team score."

Adama was given the opportunity to sharpen up his match fitness with a couple of appearances for our promotion-chasing U21s side.

And his outings for Kevin MacDonald's team have filled him with confidence that there is a brighter future in store for Villa, once a line is drawn under this season's difficulties.

He has particularly relished the chance to work in tandem with fellow wideman Jack Grealish.

"I believe Jack is a great player and a good mate as well," he said.

"It is always a pleasure to be able to compete with him and play together again.

"I think they are good players in the U21s with great potential to improve through hard work and I am happy to play with them.

"They are young and can get better in many things, just like I can."

Having honed his skills at Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, Adama is keen to maintain the values he learned during his 11 years with the Spanish giants.

The men from the Camp Nou have endured a difficult couple of weeks with a surprise exit from the Champions League and a dip in their La Liga form.

Adama is still in close contact with some of his former team-mates in Catalonia and believes they will return to their best in the final stretch of the season.

"Barcelona is a club where I grew up as a person and as a footballer," he added.

"I will always be grateful to them. I have learnt a lot of values there, from the football perspective but as well as from a personal point of view.

"They taught me how to be a professional player on and off the field. Now I want to grow here.

"What I have learnt from my time at Barcelona is the invisible work that goes on off the pitch. It's about the fine details.

"It's about working hard, resting when you need to, leading a healthy life, having a support structure around you. These factors help you improve.

"I am still in touch with some of the players in the Barcelona team and I think overall they are having a good season.

"However it has not finished and things can change because the season develops with time. I wish them well and hope that they can finish in a good place with good results."

[Malandro]

I hope we have a % of his next transfer - Chelsea want him!