da brdice： Aston Villa’s transfer activity throughout January was a bit lacklustre in some ways.
da premier bet： They did what was necessary in signing a goalkeeper and a striker to replace the injured Tom Heaton and Wesley, but the personnel they brought through the door wasn’t too inspiring.
A 37-year-old Pepe Reina who hasn’t been a first-choice goalkeeper for almost two seasons now, and a striker who hasn’t played at a level higher than the Belgian Pro League, are two questionable signings, but one thing they have got right is a loan departure that happened on deadline day.
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Indeed, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy went out on loan to Derby County, and there may be no better place for the youngster to develop.
Last term we saw numerous young stars develop at Pride Park as the likes of Fikayo Tomori, Mason Mount and Harry Wilson cut their teeth with the Rams before becoming regular Premier League starters at Chelsea and Bournemouth respectively.
Some of that will have been down to Frank Lampard’s influence, but it’s the same core group of players who were so willing to embrace this type of talent within their squad.
And while Lampard may have departed, another England legend has come in for Hepburn-Murphy to learn under.
Wayne Rooney’s player/coach role at Derby could be pivotal in the 20-year-old’s development as he will now get the opportunity to play alongside and learn under one of the best strikers this country has ever seen. The forward turned midfielder scored 53 international goals while winning multiple honours at Manchester United – experiences that could prove key in helping to aid someone as raw as the Villa loanee.
Working with a player/coach of Rooney’s stature is an opportunity that the 21-year-old wouldn’t get at many other clubs, and it was a wise decision for the Midlands club to send him to Derby.
In other news, Villa fans have poked fun at Birmingham fans for one reason.