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Aston Villa are plotting a swoop for Huddersfield’s Terence Kongolo according to Football Insider.
What’s the word?
Villa’s attention in the transfer market now looks as though it’s turning to defence. After confirming the addition of Kortney Hause on Monday, they’re now in the market for another defender.
Kongolo, who is Huddersfield’s most expensive signing, is the subject of interest from the club with Football Insider suggesting they could swoop for the Dutchman this summer.
The Daily Mail have since backed up those reports by claiming that the Villans have enquired about the 25-year-old.
Kongolo was a member of the Terriers’ relegated side last season but it now appears as though he could be heading straight back to the Premier League.
No fee is mentioned, but Transfermarkt rate the player at £13.5m.
Hause success to be repeated?
One of the main benefits of signing a player like Kongolo would be his versatility. For the Yorkshire club he played at both left-back and in the centre of defence but after a solid first season his performances last term were far from convincing.
However, that cannot distract from the potential and talent he has, an aspect of his game that saw him move to Monaco before swapping French shores for English ones.
In the Premier League in 2018/19, Kongolo played in the middle 24 times but also featured as a full-back on eight occasions.
As a result, there is a large degree of similarity with Hause, another player who can play in both positions. It’s clear the Villans benefit from players with versatility and therefore a move makes perfect sense.
Kongolo doesn’t boast the heading and aerial ability that Hause possesses but in terms of duels on the ground he’s far more successful.
He won 2.3 tackles per game and also made 2 interceptions per match last season. In comparison, Hause made 0.8 tackles and just 0.5 interceptions.
Although the pair play in similar roles, they are different players and therefore their attributes could perfectly complement each other if Kongolo joins.
The success Hause had playing in adapting to two roles in the Villa side means that a similar trick could be repeated with Huddersfield’s number five if he joins.
After all, he’s already been able to do it in the Premier League and that experience would be invaluable.
