Alan Hutton has hailed Aston Villa ace Anwar El Ghazi for his efforts in the Premier League this season.
The 24-year-old was on target for the Villans in their 2-2 draw with Burnley on Saturday afternoon, and ex-teammate Hutton has been quick to sing his praises.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “I think he is one of the best.
“For me last season in the Championship he was a massive player and he has continued it on.
“He had a slow start at the beginning to find his feet, like some of the other players also, I think the Premier League is one of the toughest leagues in the world, if not the toughest, so he was going to take time to adapt just like the other boys.”
What does El Ghazi offer Villa?
There are few people as well-placed or well-qualified to talk about El Ghazi’s progress as Hutton.
Having played and trained with him last season, the ex-Scottish international is in a uniquely insightful position, and for him to hail El Ghazi is “massive” is a good indication of just how significant he can be for this Villa side.
That being said, as Hutton has alluded to himself, it has taken him a while to get up to speed this season.
So far he has averaged a dribble success rate of 46.7% per game, as per Wyscout.
If compare that to Jack Grealish, for instance, who has averaged 67.5% [Wyscout], or even new boy Trezeguet, who has managed 52.4% [Wyscout], it is evident just how far off the pace he has been at times.
There are some positives though.
His Whoscored rating of 6.85 may be some way off Grealish’s 7.03, but it is also substantially more than Trezeguet’s 6.6.
His two goals, including a wonderfully cultured glancing volley against Burnley yesterday, also means that he is the most prolific of the trio, and he has an assist to his name too.
You would hope, therefore, that Hutton is correct, and that El Ghazi is in the ascendancy for Villa.
If he is, supporters will be hoping Hutton’s verdict on him comes to fruition.