With reports circulating that Danny Drinkwater has been seen at Bodymoor Heath, and that the 29-year-old is set to complete a loan move to Villa park, it’s time to look at how he would fit into the Villa team. Is this a good move for the Villans? Or will this be a failure like Drinkwater’s move to Burnley?
On a very basic level, Villa need central midfield depth, and Drinkwater would provide exactly that. However, what has been lacking is a combative and energetic presence, particularly with the loss of John McGinn to injury. If you look at Drinkwater’s stats from his career since the 2013/14 season, he is certainly a gritty midfielder. He has averaged 2.4 tackles per game across 158 appearances. As a comparison, in his 18 Premier League appearances this season, John McGinn has averaged 2.5 tackles per game. This means that Drinkwater isn’t far behind the Scotsman in terms of his tackling.
Drinkwater is unfortunately lacking a little in the passing and creativity department. In the 60 minutes he has played this season, he had a pass completion of under 60%, and throughout his career he’s averaged under one key pass per game. This could however be due to the system Burnley play, as they play a large number of long balls that are often unsuccessful. His creativity shouldn’t be a big issue either, as the Villa have players like Jack Grealish and Douglas Luiz that have greater passing ranges and creative abilities.
On a purely stats-based front, Danny Drinkwater could in theory be a good fit for the boys in claret and blue. Despite this, there are still a number of issues to contend with regarding the former England international. His attitude has been questioned on a number of occasions. Alan Shearer stated in 2017 that Drinkwater ‘lacks the right attitude to play for England,’ and there have been many articles across the media suggesting that he doesn’t have the desire to play. His problems with alcohol have also been noted, which can’t have a great impact on the way he plays or trains. Last year the midfielder was involved in both a brawl outside a nightclub, and was charged with drink driving. Though there could be other factors at play regarding his alcohol problems, it does create questions over whether bringing him into the dressing room at Villa Park would have positive implications.
He has shown some real skill and tenacity in the past though. You only have to look back to Leicester’s title winning season, and there was a player that dominated the middle of the park alongside N’golo Kante. Granted, it was with one of the best midfielders of the last decade, but you don’t win the Premier League title without showing desire and application. Perhaps Dean Smith believes he can get that out of him. He played well enough to get himself a move to Chelsea, which is no mean feet either, and across his time at Leicester he was one of the leaders in the dressing room. If Smith could get that leadership ability out of Drinkwater again, then that would make him a huge asset in staying up, as there seems to be no leader in the midfield without super John McGinn.
It has to be said that Drinkwater hasn’t been given much of a chance to show his ability in recent years, and perhaps his issues have come to light because of that. Sean Dyche comes across as a very no-nonsense type manager, and maybe that isn’t what he needs. As we hear more and more in the world of football, tough management is gradually dying out and is being replaced with giving players an arm round the shoulder and a chat. Dean Smith’s calmer and more collected manner could bring out the best in him.
It’s easy to look at either his loan move to Burnley for the first half of this season or the Premier League winning season with Leicester, and come to a conclusion on Danny Drinkwater. In reality, desperate times call for desperate measures, and Drinkwater is a midfielder with Premier League experience that is available on a short-term basis. A loan move for a more experienced player makes sense, and if it doesn’t pan out and he doesn’t play a single game, he’s only on loan. Villa won’t be stuck with another ageing player on big money if he can’t cut it. What it does mean however, is that any hope of signing either Michy Batshuayi or Olivier Giroud on loan are gone, as restrictions only allow one loan from a single Premier League club. On the striker front, the recruitment team will have to look abroad.
Jon Parkin Sports 