Aston Villa News: A bit like Kante – Gerrard’s masterplan for Villa’s new youngster
This latest Aston Villa News came back from journalism around the Villa camps as Gerrard set a masterplan for the wonderful kid.
Football journalists spoke to instructors and family members of new adolescent sensation Tim Iroegbunam, who has been impressing in training at Bodymoor Heath.
After congratulating Tim Iroegbunam on becoming a Premier League player, Steven Gerrard was eager to embrace him at the final whistle against Brighton.
The 18-year-old drew the manager’s attention from the first week he arrived at Villa Park in November, and the former West Brom youth star has remained a regular in the first squad ever since.
At The Amex, Iroegbunam came off the bench and completed every single one of his passes in midfield, prompting Gerrard to praise the inexperienced lad.
Michael Beale, Gerrard’s assistant, also turned to Twitter to say: “He is a fantastic young footballer as well as a very outstanding young man. There is a bright future ahead of us.”
Beale’s second tweet was as clear, with the addition: “Tim, I congratulate you. Fully earned, and there will be many more appearances in the future.”
With Iroegbunam flourishing in Bodymoor Heath, expect many more appearances. Last summer, the teenager, who is originally from West Bromwich Albion, received multiple offers from ‘major teams’ in the Premier League, but he decided to stay at Villa Park and build a great career.
Iroegbunam was spotted playing for Sutton United in Sutton Coldfield alongside a certain Louie Barry when they were both eight years old.
Last season, the duo met in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals, with Villa defeating Albion 4-1, while Iroegbunam’s father supported Villa on with Barry’s family in a bar not far from Villa Park for the final.
Fast forward to current season, and Iroegbunam has been compared to a cross between Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante by people within the Bodymoor Heath corridors.
“He’s got a big, big future,” an insider added. “He is adored by Gerrard and McAllister. They devote a lot of time to Tim and regard him as a small project with the goal of developing him into an outstanding Premier League player. He won’t be 19 until June, which is quite extraordinary.”
Iroegbunam has “a fantastic profile for a No.6” according to Gerrard, a position that is crucial to the manner the head coach wants to play at Villa. “He’s a long project for us to work at,” Gerrard continued. “He’s still somewhat raw, but he has a lot of qualities that we admire.
“I went to watch him play for the under-23s against Norwich last week, and while he began slowly and was clearly sent off at the end, he was fantastic in the middle of the game and looked like a Premier League player.
“He’s one I’m looking forward to further developing and perfecting. He’s a nice kid who is humble and has to work more.”
Iroegbunam, who is expected to become a staple in Villa’s midfield in the not-too-distant future, is set to start discussions on a new, long-term deal, SportEarly understands. Next season, the midfielder is anticipated to remain with the squad rather than being loaned out.
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