Social media is red hot yesterday with whispers about Tommy Elphick about to sign for Aston Villa and there were even a couple of tweets about the possibility a few days before this. National media and the Birmingham Mail had nothing to report though, even if Villa blogs were quick to see if there new manager Di Matteo was already looking to recruit some Premier League players to take up the challenge of getting the Villa back up next season.
While it is hard to confirm or deny the reports, you can see some potential in the rumours as Tommy Elphick did not have the strongest of seasons and is now under pressure to keep his place in the starting 11 with the performances of Simon Francis and Steve Cook giving Eddie Howe plenty to think about. The goals against column was high last season and most AFCB fans would expect to see a new central defender come to the club and that will mean in all likelihood that a vacancy will need to be created.
For Villa too you can see the attraction of signing a player that recently led a team to win the Championship and who would not be an expensive signing at an estimated £3m compared to Villa's stella-priced signings over the last few seasons.
Whether the lure of playing for Aston Villa perhaps as captain is something that would tempt Tommy is a matter for him to consider, if Villa want him and offer a bid that is acceptable to AFCB. There are lots of ifs and buts to this story, but if Eddie Howe is ready to break with his skipper there are plenty of clubs that would see Tommy as a prize catch even if it is not Villa. Leaving would keep Tommy's legacy well in tact having steered the Cherries to promotion and then safety in the Premier League.
Having recently married Tommy may well like to have a new challenge and the Villa campaign is going to be pressured next season, which he may very well like to have a go at. But having worked so hard to get to the Premier League I could understand him saying no as well.
Timing is everything and if Tommy decides he should leave then the dynamics of the changing room immediately change and one or two other might start considering if they should also be looking for moves.
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| Tommy Elphick at Villa Park last season. |
For Villa too you can see the attraction of signing a player that recently led a team to win the Championship and who would not be an expensive signing at an estimated £3m compared to Villa's stella-priced signings over the last few seasons.
Whether the lure of playing for Aston Villa perhaps as captain is something that would tempt Tommy is a matter for him to consider, if Villa want him and offer a bid that is acceptable to AFCB. There are lots of ifs and buts to this story, but if Eddie Howe is ready to break with his skipper there are plenty of clubs that would see Tommy as a prize catch even if it is not Villa. Leaving would keep Tommy's legacy well in tact having steered the Cherries to promotion and then safety in the Premier League.
Having recently married Tommy may well like to have a new challenge and the Villa campaign is going to be pressured next season, which he may very well like to have a go at. But having worked so hard to get to the Premier League I could understand him saying no as well.
Timing is everything and if Tommy decides he should leave then the dynamics of the changing room immediately change and one or two other might start considering if they should also be looking for moves.
Euro 2016 - Dimitri Payet lights up Euro 2016 and England - the day of reckoning is here
If the reports are true I would take the three million...was it just coincidence that when Elphick came back the team let in a lot of goals...it could be the calibre of opposition..but we leaked goals at the beginning of season as well when Elphick was playing...
ReplyDelete£3m seems great business and we need to bring in a defender or two..and assume at some stage we have to fit in Mings unless its going to be another of Eddies 4 game wonders....
Its time to chop and change a bit...I think £12m for Ritchie would be good business.....bring in Fraser...a midfielder of real class...maybe a goalkeeper and we will be a tough proposition for next season
I also thought Tommy did badly after his injury, even against Pompey in the cup. The question is whether he can regain his previous form or not.
ReplyDeleteEddie has his own opinion and that has to be good enough for me.
Have to see how tommy start or start. Though mason would be gd possible signing if or when tommy may go.Either Wes brown could be another as well.
ReplyDelete