Arsenal & Aston Villa in Battle for Belgian International Wonderkid: Spurs, Newcastle, Boro, Portsmouth, Blackburn & Sunderland all Tracking Playmaker
After beating Arsenal last weekend, Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill will be aiming to get the better of Arsene Wenger once again with the signing of Belgian starlet Steven Defour in January. The two clubs look set to enter a bidding war for the young playmaker though they may well not be alone as at least 9 Premier League clubs are reported to be tracking the Belgian international.
The 20-year-old youngster put himself in the shop window with his European displays against Merseyside giants Liverpool and Everton and has recently declared he is ready to leave Standard in January.
The Belgian international admitted last month, “I have achieved what I wanted to achieve with Standard.”
Before adding, “Maybe it is best for my career to make an upward step. I feel the time is right for me to move
on.”
This will encourage the reported interested Premier League sides which consist of not only Arsenal and Aston Villa but also Spurs, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Blackburn and Sunderland who have all had the midfielder watched.
It’s little surprise as the 5 ft 8 playmaker’s career has gone from strength to strength. Defour is now a permanent member of the Belgian national side with 18 caps and 1 goal to his name despite his tender years. He also captains the current Belgian champions Standard as well as won the 2007 Golden Shoe Award in 2007 as most outstanding player in the Jupiler League.
Defour began his career at Racing Genk where he made 30 League appearances (25 starts) and scored once. Despite breaking into the side at just 16-years-old the playmaker was soon one of the integral members of the side and his ambition led to a move to Standard. His departure caused such a commotion at Genk that the Chairman at the time Jos Vaessen stood down from his post.
Defour had this to say at the time, “At Genk things became too easy for me. At Standard I may not play in every match at this stage, but I would rather have 20 good matches and start on the bench 14 times, than play 34 moderate matches. Even in training I’ve become a better player by working with players like Conceição and Rapaić. They give me advice, but they also listen to me. I’ve already criticised Conceição. Sérgio accepts my criticism as he realises I am a good player.”
This comment provides an example of the ambition of the youngster and explains why he’s been such a success at Standard Liege. He led the club to the Belgian championship for the first time in 25 years last season and has now made 65 League appearances for the club (60 starts) and scored 5 goals. His form has attracted the attention of a number of European clubs though he won’t come cheap. After all, his team-mate Marouane Fellaini was sold to Everton for £15m and if anything Defour is rated as the better prospect. Standard also possess another exciting youngster Alex Witzel who is only 19 but being heavily tracked by both Manchester United and Man City. Defour is contracted to Standard till 2013 which will enable the Belgian side to maintain their stance that he won’t be leaving on the cheap.
He would be ideal for Villa who perhaps lack the guile of a playmaker in their midfield to unleash the pace and power of the likes of Young, Agbonlahor and Carew whilst where he would fit in at the Emirates is difficult to fathom unless Cesc Fabregas would be leaving the club and Defour would be a like for like replacement. The likes of Portsmouth, Blackburn, Boro and Newcastle may find the youngster out of their price range with Standard showing they won’t sell their young talent for anything but a hefty fee. Newspaper reports suggest the player could be available for as little as £8m but that may well be wishful thinking.
Whichever club he moves to, England is looking the likely destination for Defour with so many clubs currently watching him, so expect him to join his former team-mate Fellaini in the Premier League come January. So have you been impressed with the Standard Liege Captain’s performances against Everton and Liverpool this season? Does your club need a playmaker with Defour’s qualities of passing? Let’s hear your views.
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Tags: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn, Everton, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Spurs, Standard Liege, Steven Defour, Sunderland
November 20th, 2008 at 11:31
Looks good to me, we need some flair in our midfield!