Aston Villa are keeping tabs on the situation of a multiple Premier League winner to revolutionise Unai Emery’s attack who Graeme Souness thinks is more threatening than Jack Grealish.
Unai Emery has already made seven signings for Aston Villa this summer but the Spanish manager still feels there are one or two additions needed.
After an incredible 2023/24 season, Villa are now set to compete in this year’s Champions League and thus need a squad capable of mixing it with Europe’s elite.
That has seen high-profile arrivals of the likes of Amadou Onana and Ian Maatsen, but they could be about to surpass both of those captures with their next move.
Aston Villa considering Raheem Sterling as Moussa Diaby replacement
Amid the influx of new signings have been two notable departures.
The first was Douglas Luiz’ exit, with the Brazilian sold to Juventus in order to assist Villa in complying with PSR.
The midfielder has been replaced, with Emery welcoming Onana, Ross Barkley and Enzo Barrenechea in the centre of the pitch.
However, the other big money departure has not yet been replaced; with Moussa Diaby sealing a £60 million move to Saudi Arabia just a year on from becoming Villa’s record signing.
Conventionally a winger, Diaby was used as a second striker by Emery last season with great success, leading to the club pursuing Joao Felix as a possible replacement this summer.
Felix has now signed for Chelsea, but Villa could benefit from the Stamford Bridge club needing to trim down their bulging squad with a move for Raheem Sterling.
- READ MORE: Four-time Premier League winner now surprise name on Aston Villa shortlist to replace Moussa Diaby
Graeme Souness believes Sterling is better than Jack Grealish
Sterling has had a glittering career winning four Premier League titles, but was left dismayed as he was left out of the squad for Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Manchester City on Sunday.
That has been followed by being snubbed by Enzo Maresca again for Chelsea’s Europa League qualifier against Servette and Villa are ‘monitoring’ the 29-year-old’s situation.
Jack Grealish is the best player to come out of Villa for many a year and was sold to Manchester City for £100 million in 2021, with Sterling leaving the following summer.
Player turned pundit Graeme Souness actually believes Sterling is “more dangerous” than Grealish.
Souness explained in his Daily Mail column in November 2023: “If you’re a full back, would you rather play against Sterling or Jack Grealish?
“I think 10 out of 10 would rather play against Grealish. Sterling is more dangerous than him. Defenders are terrified of pace and directness.
“Grealish threatens to go down the line, does a couple of stepovers and then cuts inside and plays the ball square nearly every time. Sterling goes at you and, as a defender, you’re praying you have a team-mate covering you.”
He concluded: “We’re seeing less and less of Grealish at Manchester City, and more of Jeremy Doku. Would you want to play against Doku? No, because he’s more like Sterling.”
Whether Sterling is better than Grealish or not is up for debate but the 82-cap England international would certainly be an interesting option in the Diaby role from last season.
