Unai Emery could finally ditch Matty Cash this summer with Aston Villa eyeing a move for one ‘outstanding’ player.
Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash has received criticism for his performances as of late and he could be replaced by Unai Emery this summer.
The 26-year-old was badly out of form in the campaign’s closing weeks, and as Emery looks to assemble a squad ready for the Champions League, an upgrade on the Polish international is essential.
Whilst Cash is brilliant when asked to go forward, ranking in the top 2% of Premier League defenders for non-penalty xG and the top 15% for touches (att. pen), his output in the final third doesn’t make up for him being a liability defensively.
He places in the bottom 72% of top-flight defenders for aerial duels won, often falling to sleep at the far post while for interceptions per 90, he’s part of the bottom 66%.
Sections of the fanbase have lambasted cash for his performances, and Emery could land a huge upgrade on him this summer.
Aston Villa target Denzel Dumfries is Champions League-level
Although Villa are looking to avoid being sanctioned by Financial Fair Play rules this summer, they have entered the race to sign Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries.
A long-term target of Emery at Villa Park, the 28-year-old is exactly the type of player the Spaniard needs down the right flank.
Dumfries is an attack-minded wing-back with explosive running power and the capacity to excite in the final third.
During his time at Inter, he’s produced a whopping 11 goals and 20 assists in 131 appearances; attacking output which helped the Italian giants win the Serie A title this season.
The 52-cap Dutch dynamo is one of the best players in his position on the planet as highlighted by several of his attacking metrics via FBref.
He ranks in the top 3% of defenders across Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty goals, the top 12% for assists and the top 2% for touches (att. pen).
It’s such attacking prowess that saw Alan Hutton label him as “outstanding”, with Dumfries also possessing an array of Champions League experience. He’s featured in Europe’s elite competition on 30 occasions, playing 12 times in 2022/23 as Inter lost out in the final to Manchester City.
The latest in Aston Villa’s move for Denzel Dumfries
According to FC Inter News, Villa can satisfy Inter’s demands for a transfer this summer.
With his contract expiring in 2025 and an agreement on a new deal yet to be reached, they may be forced into selling the talented wing-back.
It’s an opportunity that Villa can’t turn down, especially when the asking price is €30m (£26m) as not only would he improve their position significantly, but his experience and pedigree are huge.
Keep an eye on the situation between the Villans and Dumfries as it’s a saga that could run long into the window.
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