Ashley Preece has claimed that Frederic Guilbert could be amongst those to depart Aston Villa this summer following a hint in pre-season.
The journalist revealed that the full-back was not on the squad bus for Aston Villa’s pre-season game against Manchester United – instead sitting on the media bus, with Preece suggesting that his omission was a potential nod to his future prospects.
Preece said on the Claret & Blue podcast: “Once they’re back in the UK, they’ll start streamlining that squad, a few will head off. I’ve seen Guilbert today. He wasn’t on the team bus, he was on like the media bus; he wasn’t involved today, Guilbert, again – that’s quite telling. He wasn’t involved in the squad, nor was Bertrand Traore.”
It wouldn’t come as a major surprise if Guilbert did depart this summer. The Frenchman spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, where he made 35 appearances in all competitions.
With just a matter of weeks left until the Premier League season kicks off, we could see a number of departures at Aston Villa, as well as some more incomings. The fact is, the transfer window doesn’t shut until the start of September and a lot can happen between now and then.
TIF Thoughts on Frederic Guilbert…
Given the fact that he went out on loan last season, Guilbert never looked likely to return and become an instant part of Steven Gerrard’s starting team. And after being left out against United in pre-season, it looks as though the full-back can’t even get a place in the first-team squad.
At 27, Guilbert seems to be at a crossroads in his career. Either he takes a chance and waits for more of an opportunity at Villa, or he secures a move away from Villa Park to gain a starting place on a consistent basis elsewhere. He certainly has a decision to make.