Aston Villa’s Leander Dendoncker has made a January leave request because he lacks “the minerals.”
We’re thrilled to welcome Aston Villa podcaster Ty Bracey as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist; each week, he’ll share his thoughts on the club’s most pressing issues…
Ty Bracey would want to see Leander Dendoncker leave Aston Villa in January because he believes the midfielder is not good enough for Unai Emery’s side.
The Belgian appears to be yet another casualty of the club’s success. Dendoncker struggled for playing time last season, and with only two minutes of Premier League action in 2023/24, it’s safe to assume the former Wolves man isn’t in the manager’s plans.
He was chastised again for his bad performance in the League Cup, as the Villans were defeated 2-1 by struggling Everton. Dendoncker is no longer a member of Belgium’s national team, despite last appearing in June, implying that his status has slipped with the international set-up as well.
According to Bracey, the 28-year-old is surplus to requirements at Villa Park because Emery does not believe he is good enough to perform well in his system, although any exit would be contingent on more incomings.
Bracey told Villa News exclusively: “I just don’t think he fits into Emery’s system well, I really don’t.” A Villa team covers a lot of ground, and I don’t think Dendoncker has the minerals to do so.
“If a loan came in, I’d be fine with him leaving as long as he was replaced.” He doesn’t suit Emery’s system, and I believe Emery is aware of this.
“It’s just one of these where we need to rest players with our congested schedule, so he gets minutes, but if an offer was to come in January I’d be happy for him to go.”
A broadcaster has responded to a “really important” update on a “integral” Villa Park player.
