Aston Villa have been heavily linked with a possible move for Calvin Bassey this summer, but it would be a shock to see him replace Lucas Digne.
This is what the football journalist Pete O’Rourke has told GIVEMESPORT when speaking about the potential reunion between Bassey and Steven Gerrard.
The Rangers man has had an impressive campaign at Ibrox with his performance in the Europa League final catching the eyes with a dominant display.
And with Gerrard believed to be interested in bringing Bassey over the border to Villa Park this summer, question marks will be raised over Digne’s spot in the side.
But O’Rourke has admitted he would be surprised to see the Frenchman’s spot in the side come under pressure having only signed in January for £27m:
“I think Lucas Digne is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League on his day, and they did spend big money on him in the January transfer window, so it would be a shock if they were already looking at maybe a potential replacement for him.
“So maybe centre-back rather than left-back Calvin Bassey is being targeted for.”
TIF Thoughts on O’Rourke’s comments…
We have to agree with O’Rourke. This would feel like a very strange move for Gerrard to make having spent big on Digne just a few months ago.
Is Bassey better than Digne?
Yes
No
However, he does raise an interesting point as to whether Bassey could be brought in as a left-sided centre-back with Gerrard clearly looking to upgrade his options at centre-back this summer.
Bassey has plenty of experience playing at centre-back with more games (24) this season played in the middle of defence than the 23 played at left-back (via Transfermarkt).
With reports surrounding the future of Tyrone Mings, Gerrard may have no other choice but to bring in a new centre-back in the coming weeks with Newcastle believed to be sniffing around the £35m-rated defender.