Axel Witsel: Aston Villa & Everton Combative Belgian Target Set to Move
Reports in the Belgium press suggest Standard Liege will be selling two of their prized assets this summer after a highly disappointing season. Midfield pair Axel Witsel and Steven Defour have been the driving force behind the club in the last few seasons as Standard won back to back league titles. However, with the club lying in 9th position in the Belgian top division and a staggering 39 points behind leaders Anderlecht both players are looking to leave with a host of Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton and Aston Villa all showing an interest. Here’s the New Football Pools lowdown on the two Belgian stars. Read Part One by clicking here>
Part Two - Axel Witsel
The 21-year-old is one of the hottest properties in Europe after excelling for the Belgium champions alongside highly-rated Steven Defour. However, his stock has fallen in his homeland following a red card for a horrific leg breaking challenge on Anderlecht’s Marcin Wasilewski back in August.
The player received an 8-match domestic ban for the incident but returned to league action in late October. However, after receiving another sending-off in a 4-0 home defeat to Anderlecht back in January, the club are likely to sell as the player seeks pastures new.
Inter Milan, Manchester United, Man City and Arsenal have all been previously linked with the youngster who has played a huge part in Standard’s back to back league title wins. Individually the player has also won a number of accolades including the Belgian Young Football of the Year award in 2008 as well as the Belgian Golden Shoe for being the best player in the Belgian top division. Witsel’s game is arguably more suited to the Premier League and with Everton and Villa both looking to strengthen their midfields, the Belgian would be ideal. He would fit in with both Martin O’Neill and David Moyes’ squads as he is an extremely hard working tireless midfielder and would add competition to both teams. Villa’s central midfield pairing of James Milner and Stilian Petrov has been impressive but Witsel can play in both their roles and is arguably more competitive physically.
Everton know all about his talents from their meetings with Standard Liege in last season’s Uefa Cup when the Belgians beat them over two legs. Witsel played in both legs as well as scored in the 2-1 home win. He has also impressed in Champions League matches against both Liverpool and Arsenal which has reported to have convinced Moyes of his ability to make the move. Former Standard team-mate Marouane Fellaini has proved a big hit at Goodison and he may be joined by his compatriot if a deal can be completed this summer. However, Aston Villa are also very keen as O’Neill looks to add more depth to the centre of his midfield with Nigel Reo-Coker and Steven Sidwell likely to depart Villa Park this summer.
Witsel was born in Liege though his father who was also a former footballer has roots in Martinique. The midfielder came through the ranks at Standard making his senior debut aged 17 during the 2006/07 season. He went on to make 16 league appearances (10 starts) for the club (2 goals) that season but it was following campaign when Witsel established himself as the star he has become.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Witsel made 33 league appearances in 2007/08, scoring 7 goals (all starts) as Standard won their first league title in 25 years. He formed one part of a trio of exciting young talent with Marouane Fellaini and Steven Defour as Standard stormed to the title 7 points clear of Anderlecht. Fellaini soon departed to Goodison Park, while Defour has also been a target for Everton and their rivals for Witsel, Aston Villa.
Standard retained the title last season after a play-off win over Anderlecht with Witsel himself scoring the title winning goal from the penalty spot in the 2nd leg. Once again the 21-year-old scored 7 goals. This season he has played in 27 league games (25 starts) and scored 6 goals taking his tally for the club to 22 goals in 109 league appearances (99 starts). Standard have suffered from an extremely poor campaign and with European football a major doubt for next season, the club are reportedly looking to sell. They currently sit 7th in the Belgian league and a massive 39 points behind leaders Anderlecht. Witsel has also impressed in Europe for the club playing well in their narrow Champions League qualifying defeat to Liverpool and scoring in the Uefa Cup win over Everton in recent seasons.
Witsel has also won 11 caps for his country, scoring his first goal on his debut. He also scored on in a 2-0 friendly win over Qatar. His fiery nature has also seen him red carded in a 2-1 away defeat in Bosnia as he has gained a reputation for his tough tackling. His temper has led to him winning less caps than his ability deserves and that may put off both Everton and Aston Villa when it comes to bidding this summer.
The 21-year-old is an excellent dribbler, has an eye for goal and at 6 ft has an excellent physique for the Premier League. He was reported to have rejected the advances of Real Madrid and Arsenal when he was just 15 but this summer we could finally see the Belgian star making a big money move to the Premier League with Goodison Park or Villa Park his most likely destinations in a reported £8m move.
Do you like the look of Axel Witsel? Would you like your club to sign one of the most promising prospects in European football? Would you be wary of his reputation? Let’s hear your views.
Tags: Aston Villa, Axel Witsel, Belgium, Everton, Standard Liege
April 27th, 2010 at 18:24
Quality combative player who is young who wouldnt want him:-) everton certainly would:-)