Journalist Dean Jones has claimed that Douglas Luiz is not happy playing in the deeper role under Steven Gerrard for Aston Villa.
Interestingly, Arsenal were linked with a potential move in January and the rumours haven’t stopped as the Gunners are reportedly set to move for the midfielder in the summer too.
And, it doesn’t look as if the midfielder is entirely happy with what’s been asked of him at times in the current campaign. Indeed, Dean Jones told GiveMeSport that he understands Luiz “doesn’t want to play” at the base of Gerrard’s midfield at Villa, and the Englishman is fully aware of this.
He said: “Douglas Luiz doesn’t really want to play there. He doesn’t want to be playing in the deepest role. I think Gerrard understands that and he’s just been using him there while he had to.”
TIF Thoughts on Douglas Luiz…
You could say that perhaps the Brazilian isn’t suited to playing in a deeper role, as his weaknesses are stated as ‘tackling’ and ‘discipline’, according to WhoScored.
However, it’s not easy to just slot in higher up the field as Gerrard has the likes of Emiliano Buendia, Jacob Ramsey, Philippe Coutinho and John McGinn all occupying more advanced roles.
If Coutinho was to sign on a permanent deal, it may complicate things even further as he’ll have to battle for a place for the long term, which could force him to look elsewhere if minutes aren’t regular enough.