Evann Guessand

[paul_e]

I liked the look of him and I think it's far too early to write him off even though he's clearly not where we need him to be yet.

What I like is that he's clearly putting the work in on the pitch which suggests he's listening to what he's being asked to do and the coaches see enough to keep working with.

I liked what I'd seen of him in France because of how direct and aggressive he was, I think it'll come but I totally get why so many are underwhelmed with him so far.

[eye digress]

I’ll be honest, being decent defensively as a forward is quite different from being a good defensive full back in a back 4. I know Cash’s history, but it’s reasonably uncommon to make than transition and operate at a high level.

Kenny Swain is the one who comes most readily to mind.

There are loads of examples though most moved position earlier in their careers. I can see why Ads thinks it's a move for Evann, he has the right characteristics. That said we never bought him as a winger, he needs space not hugging the touchline. I'd love to hear from those Villa supporting French Ligue 1 Villa supporting experts/journalists who were so excited with us signing him, even if he wasn't the finished article.

From what I've read (and there's not much reporting on him), he mostly flattered to deceive in his early career - some relatively inconclusive loans here and there. Until he suddenly burst into life this time last year.

He hasn't had it easy. Marseille born and bred, brought up by his mother, rejected by the Marseille academy, salvation (ultimately) at Nice.

So if there's a silver lining, it's that he's accustomed to adversity and to being written off, and has great determination to succeed against those odds.

Ok, clutching at straws there, perhaps.

[Smirker]

I liked the look of him and I think it's far too early to write him off even though he's clearly not where we need him to be yet.

What I like is that he's clearly putting the work in on the pitch which suggests he's listening to what he's being asked to do and the coaches see enough to keep working with.

I liked what I'd seen of him in France because of how direct and aggressive he was, I think it'll come but I totally get why so many are underwhelmed with him so far.

So you think there is definitely a player there from seeing him in the French league?

[PeterWithesShin]

[London Villan]

He looks more like a Roger’s understudy in those clips. Direct running at players in the centre of the pitch. Strong, but no pace or skills to beat a player.

[eye digress]

He looks more like a Roger’s understudy in those clips. Direct running at players in the centre of the pitch. Strong, but no pace or skills to beat a player.

Same. A right-sided Rogers.

Like Rogers, he seems to have pace once he builds up a head of steam. If you think about it, can you imagine Rogers hugging the touchline, skinning his man and whipping in a cross?

[PaulWinch again]

I can imagine Rogers beating his man. He’s absolutely capable of that.

[Dave]

For the second goal against Bournemouth he could just as easily have crossed it having skinned their full-back, as cut it back for Onana.

[eye digress]

Sure, he is of course capable of beating his man. He just tends to do it away from the touchline, driving toward goal. He’s not really the type to hug the touchline and drive to the byline, is he?

Maybe this is just more straw clutching!

[paul_e]

I liked the look of him and I think it's far too early to write him off even though he's clearly not where we need him to be yet.

What I like is that he's clearly putting the work in on the pitch which suggests he's listening to what he's being asked to do and the coaches see enough to keep working with.

I liked what I'd seen of him in France because of how direct and aggressive he was, I think it'll come but I totally get why so many are underwhelmed with him so far.

So you think there is definitely a player there from seeing him in the French league?

To be clear, what I've seen of him is only a little more than the video PWS has shared but as I said direct and aggressive, similar to Rogers as people have noted. He's not really doing that for us and I don't know why but I want to see him try and then judge whether he's good enough.

All I can think is that Emery has something very specific in mind for him and what we've seen so far is setting him up to be that player. It's got to be something like that because Emery seems pretty happy to play him and generally happy with his performances so he's doing the job he's been set, I think.

I do think he's been underwhelming so far though, I just think the player from last season has to be in there and if we can coax him out but with the rough edges smoothed over he can offer us something.

[eye digress]

23 goal involvements last year in Ligue 1 - a weaker league than the PL, but still. Cherki had 35 goal involvements last season - the difference reflecting a greater number of assists.

Goal reels are a bit misleading, of course, but to my mind, there are too many nice touches, crosses and finishes in his clips to think he doesn’t have something in his locker. (Although his core skill seems to be a pretty basic knock-and-run.)

Problem is, he has only very, very fleetingly shown us any of that.