Ex-Aston Villa scout disagrees with pundits over Zion Suzuki
Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki shares similarities with former Manchester United man Andre Onana.
That is the opinion of former senior Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 24-year-old has been given rave reviews by pundits and fans after his start in the Premier League, and made several key saves as Unai Emery's team beat Tottenham 3-2 in North London on Saturday.
Villa signed Suzuki for around £30million from Parma, and he has replaced Emi Martinez as the club's new number one. The Argentine subsequently joined Chelsea, marking the end of a six-year run with the Villans.
Onana, who cost Man United around £47m to sign from Inter Milan in 2023, was sent on a second consecutive season-long loan to Turkish side Trabzonspor in the summer.
The Cameroon international was replaced at Old Trafford last summer by Senne Lammens, 24, who has looked to be a shrewd acquisition.
Zion Suzuki 'always has a mistake in there'
Onana was very highly rated during his time in Italy, convincing Man United to pay the huge money for his superb ability on the ball.
The former Ajax man showed that ability but it quickly became clear that were significant problems elsewhere, and he would make numerous mistakes in the 2024-25 season before he was sent away.
"From what I have seen, he's another Onana. He looks very similar to the one that Man United were raving about when they brought him in from Milan," King told Football Insider when asked about Suzuki.
"Similar type in the way he plays. Spectacular saves when they certainly look more simple than the way he makes them at times. I just think he looks and the way he approaches in games, he's very similar to the goalkeeper that Man United brought in, Onana.
"We know what happened to him. Let's hope it doesn't happen to Aston Villa's new signing. He's still got things to prove to me before I'll say he's going to be a top keeper in the Premier League."
"He's very similar age and size and type as the boy that came in at Man United. Look at all the hype there was around him," King added.
"He was either brilliant or hopeless, and it'll be interesting to see if this kid can continue playing brilliantly. I think there's always a mistake in there with him."
What has Unai Emery said about Suzuki?
Villa showed huge faith in Suzuki this summer, making a big decision to part ways with the hugely reliable Martinez.
"We needed the keeper. He is a keeper to save us," Emery said after Saturday's game.
"To make sure in the goal he has the quality and then he has the skills to play and build up.
"It is very important how he is doing it and sometimes taking some risks, but through those he is improving and learning."