Clement Lenglet will leave Aston Villa after ‘massive’ development – expert
Aston Villa will not look to make Clement Lenglet’s loan move permanent this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Villa and Rangers defender Alan Hutton claimed that Lenglet, 28, will struggle to earn minutes ahead of the club’s other centre-back options – especially once captain Tyrone Mings returns from injury.
Following a 13-game stretch without a Premier League outing for the Villans, the Frenchman started 11 in a row and has proved himself to be a quality option for Unai Emery domestically and in the Europa Conference League.
However, he has since returned to the bench having made just one appearance in Villa’s last five league games.
Clement Lenglet’s Aston Villa career over this summer?
Hutton praised Lenglet for playing well when called upon but admitted he couldn’t see the Barcelona loanee’s long-term future at Villa Park.
“I think there’s a slim possibility that he stays,” he told Football Insider.
“The only thing I would say is that Mings will be back next season and he’s a massive leader in that team and has been for a number of years.
“He comes in and fills that position if I’m honest.
“So me saying that it probably means that Lenglet is not a long-term option.
“He’s been in and out of the side, but he’s done a job when called upon.
“The problem is that with Mings coming back, there are other options for the manager.
“I’m leaning towards him not signing permanently.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire: Aston Villa could match Chelsea plan after £100m+ development.
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