Why Aston Villa must ensure one flop departs this summer after a series of uninspiring performances throughout the campaign.
Villa looks set to end a memorable campaign in style. Now, into the last week of the 2023/24 season, Unai Emery’s side just needs one result to go their way to secure Champions League football.
It has been an incredible rise from the club which was fighting a relegation battle just 18 months ago.
Many of the Villa first team have justifiably received wide-spread credit for this achievement. Ollie Watkins has been at the forefront of the praise. The striker has been tipped to win the Premier League Player of the Season.
However, throughout the campaign, there have been some letdowns, including summer signing Nicolo Zaniolo.
Aston Villa must avoid signing Nicolo Zaniolo this summer
Zaniolo signed for Villa last summer on loan from Turkish side Galatasaray. Emery was keen to bring in cover for this position after Emiliano Buendia was ruled out for the season.
As part of the loan deal, Villa also have the option to buy Zaniolo for £25.8 million. However, this may also become permanent if certain conditions are met.
If these conditions are not met, Villa must avoid activating the deal for Zaniolo. In his time at Villa Park, the Italian international has done little to impress.
So far this campaign, Zaniolo has only found the net three times in 40 appearances in all competitions. He is also yet to get an assist this entire campaign.
More recently, the 24-year-old’s performances have taken a turn for the worse. Despite many of his appearances coming off the bench, the Italian has made little impact on the game.
As a result, his last seven ratings on WhoScored averaged out to be 6.34. His average rating for the season is also extremely low sitting at 6.24.
WhoScored does not rate the midfielder in the slightest. When analysing his strengths, the website believes there are ‘none of significance’. However, Zaniolo possesses multiple weaknesses including, passing, finishing and holding onto the ball.
The midfielder has also become injury-prone of late. After being forced off in the away leg to Lille, Zaniolo has struggled to return to fitness. Against Liverpool, he made a brief cameo before being once again forced off the field.
Read more: Who else should depart from Aston Villa’s squad this summer?
Aston Villa need to set their sights higher than Nicolo Zaniolo
With Champions League football looking all but certain going into the final fixture, preparations for the upcoming season have likely already begun.
Unfortunately for Zaniolo, it is doubtful that he is part of these plans. Back in February, it was reported that Villa won’t take up the option to buy and it is unlikely that this position has changed.
For £25 million, Villa and Monchi could easily find a more suitable candidate to come in and play more effective football.
This was already shown in January when Morgan Rogers came in for £15 million. This coupled with the fact that Buendia will be returning from the sidelines means that Villa simply should not buy the Italian.
With Champions League football on the horizon, players of Zaniolo’s quality need to be left behind to ensure the squad continues to improve its quality.
