Rangers TV pundit issues ‘huge’ Filip Helander transfer claim
Alan Hutton has raised fears Rangers star Filip Helander lacks the pace to cope with the Premier League amid interest from Aston Villa.
The former Villa defender and Rangers TV pundit, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted England’s top flight is a “huge step up” in terms of speed and movement of attackers.
A Villa source told Football Insider last week (19 April) Steven Gerrard is a big admirer of Helander, 29, and keeping tabs on him ahead of the summer.
As detailed by this site (18 April), Villa are in the market for a new left-sided centre-back.
Hutton insisted Helander is an excellent reader of the game, but questioned whether he has the speed required for Premier League football.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Helander is a player who reads the game and gets himself into good positions.
“Obviously the injuries haven’t helped but the thing I would worry about is the pace side of it. When you go down south in the Premier League, you’re playing against a lot of quick players.
“There’s quick movement round about you, at your feet. It’s whether he can handle that. It’s a huge step up.
“No disrespect to Rangers or anybody in Scotland but the Premier League is arguably the best league in the world. That’s the only thing that I would worry about.
“You look at the centre-halves Villa have got now. Konsa is quick, Mings is quick and they can still get caught out.”
Helander has played 60 times for Rangers since joining in 2019.
He has come back from two serious injuries while at Ibrox but is out for the season with a foot problem.
In other news, Rangers attacker told to find new club after signing new contract last year.