With the recent injury problems of Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, and Ezri Konsa, along with Tyrone Mings’ extended absence, Clement Lenglet is beginning to seem less unnecessary—another left-sided center-half for a team that already had a good number on hand—and more like a genius.
There aren’t many better backup centre halves than the guy who joined Aston Villa on loan from Barcelona, bringing with him a La Liga winners’ medal and fifteen caps for his country.
In the Ajax draw, the star of Aston Villa shines once more.
For Villa, Lenglet has started their last ten Premier League games. The former Sevilla and Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper proved crucial once more as Unai Emery’s team held a fervent Ajax team to a 0-0 draw in Amsterdam on Thursday night.
Even though Jorrel Hato and Ahmetcan Kaplan, the youthful combo from Ajax, dazzled with their exceptional game awareness and accurate passing range, Lenglent’s defensive prowess was not enough to shield the France star from some derisive remarks directed towards his delivery.
Kaplan truly has a distinct level of confidence and vision. Former Eredivisie star Kenneth Perez told ESPN, “I really haven’t seen that calmness, the constructive qualities and the long ball from (Josip) Sutalo (Ajax’s suspended £20 million centre-half).”
“Compare it to the central defender on the other side who is left-footed and was a player for Barcelona.” He is simply Bambi on the ball.
Under Unai Emery, things got stronger and stronger.
The majority of Aston Villa fans who travelled to the Dutch capital during the week will likely be content to overlook the occasional mishandled pass from Lenglet, who is containing Ajax’s attack and frustrating the team’s in-form Brian Brobbey with Emery’s well-oiled high-line. Lenglet is turning into one of the team’s more underappreciated recent acquisitions.
In February, Emery praised Lenglet, who plays for Barcelona, for his willingness to adjust to Villa’s distinctive defensive style, calling him a “very good professional.”
He’s attempting to grasp our mannerisms. Even on the days when the players had the day off, he would come in to work extra.
I’m telling Lenglet that I’m thrilled with him while we’re on the phone. He’s essential to the team and to me.
