Unai Emery has made his stance clear on the future of Aston Villa centre-back Clement Lenglet.
The Frenchman was previously linked with several European clubs, which would have seen him return to Barcelona and prematurely end his loan spell at Aston Villa.
Major concerns over his future sprung to mind when he didn’t play in any of Villa’s opening 14 Premier League fixtures, despite featuring in all but one of their Europa Conference League group stage matches.
Although he impressed on the European stage, he wasn’t presented with opportunities in England’s top flight until a Pau Torres injury opened up the door for him to start against Sheffield United.
Since his introduction into the side, Villa have salvaged a last-minute draw against the Blades, threw away a two-goal lead against Manchester United to lose 3-2 and secured a victory over 10-man Burnley in the 89th minute.
Whilst the Villans have suffered defensively since Torres has been out of the side, Unai Emery doesn’t believe that is down to the performances of Lenglet with the Spaniard praising his professionalism.
Unai Emery is ‘very happy’ with Clement Lenglet
With Torres continuing to work his way back to fitness, Lenglet will likely see his game time reduced once more, but that doesn’t take away from how impressed Emery has been with the 28-year-old.
He’s made it clear that despite several European clubs showing an interest, including AC Milan, he wants to keep him in his squad this month.
“He is a very good professional and we have been working with him every day, he’s trying to understand our style,” Emery said. “He was even coming in when the players had a day off to do extra work.
“The last matches he has been playing and we are working with him, in the same way as we worked with Pau Torres.”
He added: “I am speaking with Lenglet and sending him a message that I am very happy with him. I need him, the team needs him now. Pau Torres is not available so we needed him.
Should Aston Villa keep Lenglet?
Lenglet has come into the side at a difficult time; expected to fill the void of Torres and done an impressive job of covering for him.
Although his place in the side is at peril, especially after he was replaced by the Spaniard in the victory over Burnley, he’s still a key part of Emery’s plans.
The Aston Villa boss has made it clear that Villa want to go deep into every competition and that means Lenglet will continue to play an integral role in their European journey.
It would also be difficult for Villa to sign a left-sided defender in this current market without paying the premium so it isn’t financially feasible to send him back to Barca.
Instead, he can continue to adapt to Emery’s demands and attempt to propel himself back into national team recognition having not featured for France since November 2021.
