Pundit cites Defoe after Aston Villa journalist’s update on striker swoop
Luis Suarez could prove to be a “real positive influence” on the Aston Villa dressing room if he completes a Premier League return, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 35-year-old hitman can still be “dangerous” inside the 18-yard box.
As reported by Birmingham Live‘s Ashley Preece on 21 January, Aston Villa could move for Suarez this summer (2022), when his Atletico Madrid contract expires.
The iconic striker would be reuniting with Villa boss Steven Gerrard after the pair enjoyed a fruitful relationship at Liverpool from 2011 to 2014.
Whelan cited the transfer of Jermain Defoe to Rangers – a deal which Gerrard oversaw in 2020.
He suggested Suarez could provide “experience” and “knowhow”, just as Defoe did at Ibrox.
“Steven Gerrard knows what he’s doing,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“You can’t question his transfer business at Villa so far.
“Suarez is a player who most probably keeps himself very fit – much like Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s a great professional and he’ll want to play for as long as possible.
“You aren’t going to get the same player he was at Liverpool in his prime, but there’s no doubting that he can still be dangerous inside that 18-yard box.
“It’s a signing that would remind me of just like what Gerrard did with Defoe at Rangers. He’s going for experience.
“He could be a bit-part player on the pitch, but he could be a real positive influence in the dressing room and provide some real knowhow to those Villa players.”
Suarez has scored seven times in 14 La Liga starts this term.
He would join Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins as senior striking options at Aston Villa.
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