Why Aston Villa should make a January swoop for Mbaye Diagne
It’s not been a campaign to remember thus far for Aston Villa. A run of one win in ten matches ended Steve Bruce’s tenure following the draw with Preston North End. Dean Smith is now at the helm of the club and he won his first game against Swansea City but Aston Villa have suffered back-to-back defeats on the road since.
After a 2-1 away defeat at Carrow Road against Norwich City, Smith succumbed to his second defeat in charge of the Villans at the hands of QPR on Saturday.
Aston Villa have an array of young talent in their squad, but perhaps the players are still learning the methods and getting to know the system the new manager wants to play. There is a still a lot of time to turn the corner but Smith needs a couple of quality additions to freshen up his squad.
With the January transfer window looming, the time could be ripe for Smith to make a list of the players he wants to sign. Smith should try strengthening his squad in January to bolster Villa’s push for promotion this campaign.
While the defence remains a big concern, having conceded 23 goals in the league this season, the forward department has failed royally and Smith should prioritise signing a prolific goal-scorer in January. That being said, Aston Villa must consider signing Mbaye Diagne from Kasimpasa.
The Senegalese was hotly linked with a summer move to Leeds United but nothing materialised. He has stayed with Kasimpasa and has been banging goals left, right and centre in the Turkish Super Ligue.
Mbaye Diagne, 27, has been in fine form in the ongoing season, having already netted 11 goals and setting up 2 in 11 appearances in the Super Ligue. In contrast, none of Villa’s attacking players has made a telling contribution, leaving the strikers to carry the entire goalscoring burden.
The Senegalese has become one of the most sought-after strikers in Turkey and would improve Villa’s forward options if he joins. Diagne is filled with pace and power, and is deadly in front of the goal.
He is a poacher in every sense, which keeps defenders at their toes. The 27-year-old can hold the ball up well, create opportunities for his teammates and convert chances with aplomb.
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Signing Diagne in January would certainly help Smith and Villa in addressing the goal-scoring woes. The red-hot Diagne is making waves in Turkey and Smith must make him his first signing at Villa in January.