OPINION
Steve Bruce is going to have a dilemma over what to do with defender Easah Suliman in the summer as the talented youngster’s recent loan move hasn’t worked out.
The 20-year-old centre-back has spent this season out on loan at League Two’s Grimsby Town, but has only made one appearance for the club, despite joining at the start of the season.
The Birmingham Mail reported on Wednesday that the Villans were frustrated at the lack of playing time Suliman had gotten at Grimsby, as they rate the defender very highly at the club.
Thankfully due to the terms agreed in the loan the 20-year-old is allowed to take part in the remaining games of the Villans’ U-23s side’s season, so at least he can remember what it is like to regularly play football.
While normally it would be a simply case of finding him another club to spend next season on loan at in order to help his development, the youngster’s contract makes picking the right club a huge decision.
Suliman’s Villans contract expires in 2019, so if he fails to prove himself capable of playing senior football the next season, the Villans would be taking a risk if they offered him a new deal.
This means Bruce has the real dilemma of finding the wonderkid a club that would actually award him first-team chances.
The 20-year-old is clearly a player who could could potentially have not only a bright future in football, but a promising career at Villa Park.
Suliman has demonstrated his promising ability when playing for England’s U-20s side, with the centre-back looking composed and tough in the challenge when featuring for his nation.
However given the Villans’ past financial faux pas, they won’t like to simply hand out a contract based on potential and performances in their youth system.
Especially when you consider that Bruce’s side may be in for an overhaul next season, depending on what league they find themselves in.
This all means that Bruce’s decision on what to do with the starlet is huge, as it could derail the 20-year-old’s career at Villa Park if he gets it wrong.