Aston Villa have signed ‘best’-in-league player who’s Grealish 2.0 – Whelan
Noel Whelan has insisted Emi Buendia can be just “as important” for Aston Villa as departed hero Jack Grealish.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 24-year-old was a “great buy” for the Midlands side.
Buendia, a summer signing from Norwich, starred for Aston Villa as they raced to a 2-0 lead at the start of the second half against Wolves – eventually losing 3-2 after his withdrawal on 74 minutes.
As quoted by the Independent pre-match (October 15th), manager Dean Smith insisted the midfielder is getting to “where we want him”, praising his “drive and desire to succeed” after recovering from injury problems.
Whelan insisted Buendia is following in the footsteps of his predecessor Grealish and urged the Argentina international to find some “consistency”.
“He can be as important as Grealish – that’s why they bought him,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He can control games and bring games to the opposition.
“Buendia was by far the best midfield player in the Championship last season, he was a great buy.
“Everything went through him at Norwich, and now they’re looking to do the same thing at Aston Villa – giving the ball to him at every opportunity and letting him create something.
“He links up with the wide players and the front two – exactly how Grealish did, and on Saturday he was the main man.
“He needed that first really good game under his belt and now Villa will be wanting consistency from him.”
Grealish departed Villa Park in the summer window for a British record £100million fee.
Buendia joined the Midlands club in the summer for a reported club £38million after impressing in the Championship for the Canaries last term.
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