Aston Villa midfielder Tim Iroegbunam could give Unai Emery the tools he needs to fill the pending gap left by Boubacar Kamara.
Aston Villa relayed the devastating extent of Boubacar Kamara’s injury yesterday, revealing that the 24-year-old’s season is over after suffering a ‘significant knee ligament’ injury, identified as an ACL rupture.
It’s extremely sad news for both player and club, who will have to adapt to make the recovery process as easy as possible for both parties with Kamara considered one of Unai Emery’s key players.
The next step is surgery for Kamara to repair his knee, while the manager will require some time to consider who is the best candidate to replace the Frenchman to pair with Douglas Luiz in midfield.
Journalist Jacob Tanswell described the pending long-term absence of the 24-year-old as being a void that “no other player can fill”, adding that “no one can do what Boubacar Kamara does.”
With fixtures set to come thick and fast as Villa await the return of the UEFA Europa Conference League and continue to battle for a top-four finish in the league, Emery has a significant decision to make in midfield.
Tim Iroegbunam could replace Boubacar Kamara at Aston Villa
With Leander Dendoncker on loan at Napoli, Emery is short on options in central midfield, particularly when searching for a player that fits Kamara’s demographic of having the capacity to act as the anchor in the engine room.
The Frenchman’s flair in possession and ability to control games and snuff out danger is unmatchable, but the show must go on for Villa and Tim Iroegbunam could finally get his chance in the spotlight.
On paper, it’s arguable that Youri Tielemans or even John McGinn would be suitable enough candidates to fill the Kamara-sized void in midfield, although both players are far better suited up the field, as the manager has seen first-hand.
After progressing in the academy over the years, to impressing on loan at Queens Park Rangers, it seems as though Emery is ready to allow Ireogbunam to enter the fold, with the 20-year-old being around the first team all season.
Speaking to Villa News, former Villan Alan Hutton echoed the opinion that the England U20 international could be presented with the opportunity to make Kamara’s spot his own.
“He sees him day in and day out and he knows what he’s capable of. It doesn’t matter what age you are, if you’re good enough, you’re listening to the manager and doing tactically what he wants then he will pick you.”
“I like seeing a pathway for young players to come through and make the first team, but it’s down to him. You’ve been given an opportunity, you need to grasp it with both hands.”
Hutton also touched upon how the rise in quality and standard at the club since Emery’s arrival affects recruitment, with future signings potentially having the opportunity to decrease the gap that’s there for young players to take.
“As we spoke about recruitment, the way that they’re going at this moment in time, they’re progressing upwardly so it’s only going to get harder. But I think he’s got what it takes.”
It’s praise indeed from Hutton towards the 20-year-old, who Steven Gerrard previously waxed lyrical about the former West Brom academy jewel, dubbing him a “terrific” asset around his Villa side in 2022.
The statistics that suggest Tim Iroegbunam could replace Kamara
When comparing Iroegbunam’s statistics in the 2022/23 Championship during his loan at QPR, there are traceable similarities to the strengths of Kamara’s game that suggest he could step up and fill the gap at Villa.
At Loftus Road, the Englishman averaged 1.74 tackles won and 2.26 dribblers challenged per 90 in midfield, comparable to Kamara’s average of 1.58 tackles won and 2.56 dribblers challenged per 90 in the Premier League this season, via FBref.
Having the versatility to both protect the back line and venture upfield is a must in Emery’s free-flowing side, which the academy graduate is capable of doing, highlighted by his average of 2.02 progressive carries per 90 last season.
It would be a huge step in the right direction for Iroegbunam’s career at Villa, as well as it would be a statement from the manager to unleash him in place of Kamara, whose presence will be sorely missed.
