Aston Villa sold Jaden Philogene to Hull City in the summer and now he’s revealed why he left the club.
After making a sensational start to the season, Aston Villa are looking to build on that in the transfer window.
Unai Emery has earmarked several positions that need bolstering while the Spaniard is aiming to plan for the future.
This has been demonstrated by their first signing; 18-year-old right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic, who arrived from Red Star Belgrade on a permanent deal and will continue playing his football in Serbia till the end of the season.
Villa also want to sign a new winger and it appears that Middlesbrough’s Morgan Rogers is their priority after having several bids rejected.
Instead of going for Rogers, however, the Villans could have saved themselves millions by keeping academy graduate Jaden Philogene at the club.
How has Jaden Philogene performed at Hull City?
Philogene joined Hull City for £5 million in the summer and although Villa inserted a £15 million buy-back clause in his contract, it can only be activated if the two sides are in the same division.
Despite suffering a month-long injury, the 21-year-old has been in scintillating form for Hull and is now close to returning to action.
From producing outrageous pieces of skill, stunning solo goals and fierce efforts from range, Philogene has exhumed confidence since arriving in East Yorkshire.
Including five assists, the youngster had produced six goals in 14 Championship appearances before his injury and played a crucial role in the Tigers’ assault towards the play-offs.
Compared to Rogers, who has notched eight goal contributions in 12 more matches, it is clear that the Villa academy graduate is an upgrade on the Boro star.
There was a point where Philogene thought he could become a first-team regular at Villa. Emery outlined his desire for him to stay in pre-season following a promising tour of the United States, scoring in the friendly against Fulham and coming on in the opening-day defeat against Newcastle United.
Why did Philogene leave Aston Villa?
Despite Emery outlining his desire for him to play, Philogene knew it would be difficult for him to break into the first team and dislodge the likes of Leon Bailey and record-signing Moussa Diaby.
He knew he had to depart the club to guarantee regular football and once several Championship sides showed their interest, the thought of departing Villa Park was an enticing prospect and an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.
Speaking to the Athletic, he said: “I thought I had a chance. I got game time in pre-season and he (Emery) saw lots of me. We talked before going on the tour. He took me into his office and said that I’d be in the squad and I’d be getting minutes, with my work rate and performances standing out.”
“I wanted to stay but I didn’t think I was going to get the minutes I needed,” he says. “So the best option for me was to leave. I don’t think it was a big decision. I’m 21 and I needed to play. I spoke to Emery and Monchi and they agreed.”
Philogene will now hope he can help lead Hull back to the Premier League and that’s when Villa could attempt to buy him back.
