Aston Villa were expected to lead a host of Premier League clubs this summer in the race to sign Standard Liege’s Belgian starlet Steven Defour. However, with the impending rumours of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano’s likely exits, Liverpool have jumped to the head of the queue. There’s likely there’ll be a bidding war waged for the young playmaker due to the player being linked to at least 7 Premier League clubs.
The 21-year-old youngster certainly put himself in the shop window with his European displays against Merseyside giants Liverpool and Everton in Europe earlier in the season. He is also fiercely ambitious and declared in January he was ready to leave Standard.The Belgian international admitted, “I have achieved what I wanted to achieve with Standard.”
Before adding, “Maybe it is best for my career to make an upward step. I feel the time is right for me to move on.”
This will encourage the reported interested Premier League sides which consist of not only Liverpool and Aston Villa but also the likes of Arsenal, Everton, Portsmouth, Blackburn and Sunderland who have all had the midfielder watched.
It’s of little surprise as the 5 ft 8 playmaker’s career has gone from strength to strength. Defour is now a permanent member of the Belgian national side with 20 caps and 1 goal to his name despite his tender years. He also captains the Belgian champions Standard (two successive titles) as well as won the 2007 Golden Shoe Award as most outstanding player in the Jupiler League.
Defour began his career at Racing Genk where he made 30 League appearances (25 starts) and scored once. Despite breaking into the side at just 16-years-old the playmaker was soon one of the integral members of the side and his ambition led to a move to Standard. His departure caused such a commotion at Genk that the Chairman at the time Jos Vaessen stood down from his post.
Defour had this to say at the time, “At Genk things became too easy for me. At Standard I may not play in every match at this stage, but I would rather have 20 good matches and start on the bench 14 times, than play 34 moderate matches. Even in training I’ve become a better player by working with players like Conceição and Rapaić. They give me advice, but they also listen to me. I’ve already criticised Conceição. Sérgio accepts my criticism as he realises I am a good player.”
This comment provides an example of the ambition of the youngster and explains why he’s been such a success at Standard Liege. He led the club to the Belgian championship for the first time in 25 years in the 2007/08 season and has now made 84 League appearances for the club (79 starts) and scored 9 goals. His form has attracted the attention of a number of European clubs and is reported to be available for £15m which may rule out a move to Villa with Martin O’Neill quoted as saying he won’t be paying over the odds for players this summer. O’Neill had this to say, “I don’t mind paying over the odds for some people if you think that player will develop and become an asset for the team and be money well spent.”
“I did that with Ashley Young, but if I was told that a player I value at £7m was for sale at £15m, then I would not be able to do that.”
Defour’s former team-mate Marouane Fellaini was sold to Everton for £15m last summer and if anything Defour is rated as the better prospect. Standard also possess another exciting youngster Alex Witzel who is only 20 but being heavily tracked by both Manchester United and Man City. Defour is contracted to Standard till 2013 which will enable the Belgian side to maintain their stance that he won’t be leaving on the cheap.
He would be ideal for Villa who perhaps lack the guile of a playmaker in their midfield to unleash the pace and power of the likes of Young, Agbonlahor and Carew whilst he could be an excellent alternative to Xabi Alonso at Liverpool if the Spaniard were to depart to La Liga. Sunderland have reportedly got the funds to spend big and if Everton continue to slowly improve their squad after the success of Fellaini at Goodison, Moyes may fancy reuniting the pair. Defour was expected to cost in excess of the £15m that Fellaini left for. However, the current financial climate may lead to a reduction in the fee.
Whichever club he moves to, England is looking the likely destination for Defour with so many clubs currently watching him, so expect him to join his former team-mate Fellaini in the Premier League this summer.
The 21-year-old youngster certainly put himself in the shop window with his European displays against Merseyside giants Liverpool and Everton in Europe earlier in the season. He is also fiercely ambitious and declared in January he was ready to leave Standard.The Belgian international admitted, “I have achieved what I wanted to achieve with Standard.”
Before adding, “Maybe it is best for my career to make an upward step. I feel the time is right for me to move on.”
This will encourage the reported interested Premier League sides which consist of not only Liverpool and Aston Villa but also the likes of Arsenal, Everton, Portsmouth, Blackburn and Sunderland who have all had the midfielder watched.
It’s of little surprise as the 5 ft 8 playmaker’s career has gone from strength to strength. Defour is now a permanent member of the Belgian national side with 20 caps and 1 goal to his name despite his tender years. He also captains the Belgian champions Standard (two successive titles) as well as won the 2007 Golden Shoe Award as most outstanding player in the Jupiler League.
Defour began his career at Racing Genk where he made 30 League appearances (25 starts) and scored once. Despite breaking into the side at just 16-years-old the playmaker was soon one of the integral members of the side and his ambition led to a move to Standard. His departure caused such a commotion at Genk that the Chairman at the time Jos Vaessen stood down from his post.
Defour had this to say at the time, “At Genk things became too easy for me. At Standard I may not play in every match at this stage, but I would rather have 20 good matches and start on the bench 14 times, than play 34 moderate matches. Even in training I’ve become a better player by working with players like Conceição and Rapaić. They give me advice, but they also listen to me. I’ve already criticised Conceição. Sérgio accepts my criticism as he realises I am a good player.”
This comment provides an example of the ambition of the youngster and explains why he’s been such a success at Standard Liege. He led the club to the Belgian championship for the first time in 25 years in the 2007/08 season and has now made 84 League appearances for the club (79 starts) and scored 9 goals. His form has attracted the attention of a number of European clubs and is reported to be available for £15m which may rule out a move to Villa with Martin O’Neill quoted as saying he won’t be paying over the odds for players this summer. O’Neill had this to say, “I don’t mind paying over the odds for some people if you think that player will develop and become an asset for the team and be money well spent.”
“I did that with Ashley Young, but if I was told that a player I value at £7m was for sale at £15m, then I would not be able to do that.”
Defour’s former team-mate Marouane Fellaini was sold to Everton for £15m last summer and if anything Defour is rated as the better prospect. Standard also possess another exciting youngster Alex Witzel who is only 20 but being heavily tracked by both Manchester United and Man City. Defour is contracted to Standard till 2013 which will enable the Belgian side to maintain their stance that he won’t be leaving on the cheap.
He would be ideal for Villa who perhaps lack the guile of a playmaker in their midfield to unleash the pace and power of the likes of Young, Agbonlahor and Carew whilst he could be an excellent alternative to Xabi Alonso at Liverpool if the Spaniard were to depart to La Liga. Sunderland have reportedly got the funds to spend big and if Everton continue to slowly improve their squad after the success of Fellaini at Goodison, Moyes may fancy reuniting the pair. Defour was expected to cost in excess of the £15m that Fellaini left for. However, the current financial climate may lead to a reduction in the fee.
Whichever club he moves to, England is looking the likely destination for Defour with so many clubs currently watching him, so expect him to join his former team-mate Fellaini in the Premier League this summer.
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