Journalist Dan Rolinson has questioned Steven Gerrard’s treatment of Aston Villa striker Cameron Archer as he struggles to get any game time.
So far this season, the 20-year-old has played just twice in the Premier League for a combined total of only nine minutes of football (via Transfermarkt).
This may come as a surprise to many, as Archer was seemingly wanted on loan by a number of Championship clubs over the summer. Despite that, Gerrard made it clear that this wouldn’t happen as he saw the young forward firmly in his plans.
However, seeing as Archer has barely played, Rolinson has questioned the decision to deny the Villa youngster a loan, making his feelings known on the Claret & Blue Podcast.
The journalist said: “I don’t know what the point was keeping him around if he’s not going to get minutes. He might as well have played five or six games in the Championship since and scored a couple of goals.
“You would argue, if we’d not heard so much from Gerrard and whoever during the summer, you’d think, ‘oh, he must not be ready’. He must have kept him around just to be in a good training ground, and to be around so-called elite players rather than being in the Championship or League One, and have a good time at Aston Villa – maybe he’s just not ready for it yet.
“We were told all the way through about how he’s ready; if he’s good enough, he’ll start games, or he’ll feature for us.”
Should Aston Villa loan Cameron Archer this January?
Yes
No
TIF thoughts on Cameron Archer and Aston Villa…
Last season, Archer got his chance with three outings in the Premier League, while he also netted four goals in two EFL Cup games. This term, beyond those rare league outings, he also played just seven minutes off the bench in the cup against Bolton Wanderers.
Things certainly don’t look good for the 20-year-old and it’s rather baffling seeing as he could have been featuring far more regularly and developing more as a player had he been allowed to leave on loan.
Gerrard was questioned about the forward in a recent press conference and seemed particularly on edge in regard to the topic as he snapped at BirminghamLive reporter Ashley Preece when offering his response.
The Villa boss said: “He’s only done one full session. Is he chomping at the bit? 100 per cent. You’re a fan of Cameron, you, aren’t ya? Or are you a mate of the family? Something’s going on because you’ve asked me 25 questions this year and I reckon 19 have been on Cam Archer. You’re a fan, aren’t ya?”
Perhaps Gerrard has a plan for Archer and everyone just needs to be a little more patient. At this stage, though, it really is hard to see the logic in denying him a loan at this stage.