Why Jonathan Bamba would be a smashing signing for Aston Villa
Aston Villa have been tipped by The Athletic writer Gregg Evans to make a move for LOSC Lille winger Jonathan Bamba in the January transfer window. The reputed journalist believes the Villans could be in the market for some additional firepower next month and has earmarked the Frenchman as a suitable addition to Dean Smith’s ranks.
Profile
Jonathan Bamba joined St. Etienne’s youth set-up back in 2011 and made his Ligue 1 debut against PSG in January 2015 after impressing for the club’s reserve side. He spent time on loan at Paris FC, Sint-Truiden in Belgium and fellow top-flight side Angers to further his development.
The versatile attacker eventually established himself as a key figure for St. Etienne during the 2017-18 campaign, accumulating 7 goals and 8 assists in 34 Ligue 1 appearances.
The 24-year-old joined Lille upon the expiry of his contract in 2018 and has continued to enhance his reputation as one of the best young attackers in the French top-flight. Bamba bagged 13 goals to guide Lille to a runners-up finish behind PSG in the 2018-19 Ligue 1 campaign.
He followed it up with a string of impressive displays in the group stages of the Champions League in the following campaign. Bamba suffered a dip in form last term, scoring just one in 26 league outings for Lille, but has come to the fore once again in the ongoing campaign.
The former France U-21 star has amassed 5 goals and 6 assists in 17 appearances so far, helping Lille to 2nd place in the Ligue 1 standings.
Bamba would add more firepower to the Aston Villa attack
Aston Villa aren’t really crying out for reinforcements in the wide attacking department, having roped in Bertrand Traore from Lyon in the summer window. The Burkinabe international has made a positive impression at Villa Park, registering a goal and 2 assists in 10 PL appearances for the club so far.
Smith has rotated the likes of Trezeguet and Anwar El Ghazi out wide to supplement undisputed No.9 Ollie Watkins. But neither player has done an awful lot this season, with Trezeguet yet to score in the PL and two out of El Ghazi’s league goals coming from the penalty spot.
With a large fraction of Villa’s creativity in the final third still coming from the boots of Jack Grealish, Smith shouldn’t hesitate to look for upgrades on the likes of the aforementioned players.
Jonathan Bamba has been quite unplayable in Ligue 1 this season and a potential deal for him in January would undoubtedly add more firepower to Aston Villa’s forward line.
With Trezeguet and El Ghazi performing nowhere near that level, Villa should look at Bamba as an ideal option to link up with the likes of Grealish and Watkins up top.
The 24-year-old left-winger has backed up his strong domestic performances in Ligue 1 with some quality displays in European competitions. That clearly underlines his ability to thrive in more competitive surroundings.
Verdict
Aston Villa have largely focussed their recruitment on bringing in young and talented players with room for development. The club’s acquisition of Watkins, Traore, Ezri Konsa and Douglas Luiz substantiates those claims. Jonathan Bamba has already proven his quality at the highest level and still potentially has his best years ahead of him at 24.
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Having said that, Villa making a move for the Lille ace could pay off handsomely as Smith bids to guide his side to a respectable finish in the Premier League.