Stephen Warnock: Aston Villa can sustain a title challenge
Former Premier League defender Stephen Warnock has told NewBettingOffers.co.uk that his former team Aston Villa have what it takes to stay on the coat tails of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Speaking to NewBettingOffers.co.uk, Warnock said: “Aston Villa are still in the Premier League title race and can stay in the fight until the end of the season. What the defeat at Arsenal told us was that Unai Emery’s squad is still just too small to win the league.
“They lost key players in Boubacar Kamara and Matty Cash through suspension, then Amadou Onana went off injured, and they look threadbare. The main area they need to improve is increasing the depth in the squad.
“Over the past few years, they’ve qualified for the Champions League and performed well in the Premier League and in Europe, so Emery is now in a strong position with the board. He can go to them and ask them for money, and we’ve seen already that they’re not afraid to back him.
“It just comes down to PSR (Profitability and Sustainability Rules) and I’m not sure whether they’ll be able to spend more this season, or if they’ll have to wait until next summer. But if they have players available to them in January and they’re financially able to bring them in, the board will back Emery to secure a Champions League finish.”
Rogers is in pole position to claim the England No10 shirt
Former Villa defender Warnock believes Morgan Rogers is currently at the front of the queue for the England No10 shirt, ahead of Jude Bellingham.
“Morgan Rogers is top of the pecking order for the England No10 shirt at the moment,” said Warnock. “Thomas Tuchel has put his trust in Rogers over the past few international breaks and been rewarded. Tuchel clearly likes how Rogers plays the game and is the type of profile the England boss is looking for.
“Most importantly, Rogers is a team player. I’m not saying Jude Bellingham isn’t, but he’s definitely more selfish than Rogers. The way Rogers carries the ball and moves through the gears is unbelievable.
“He’s growing in confidence with every game and looks as though he’s starting to believe in himself more and more. That has come from both Unai Emery and Tuchel putting a lot of trust in him. He needs that belief from his managers to be able to play his natural game. Now he’s got that, we’re starting to see elevated performances and a belief from him that he can be the main man.”
Palmer’s England squad spot is not in jeopardy
Despite Cole Palmer’s underwhelming season, Warnock does not believe his spot in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad is up for discussion.
Warnock said: “I can’t see Cole Palmer’s spot in the England World Cup squad coming into question. You need game-changers in a knockout competition and that’s exactly what he is. You also need penalty takers and he’s phenomenal in that respect. He’s the type of player who would relish taking a penalty under pressure.
“The biggest problem he’s got is whether he needs an operation to solve his groin issues or not. We’re not quite sure whether he’s playing with a bit of an injury at the moment and trying to manage it to make sure he stays fit enough to get in the World Cup squad.
“If I was Palmer, I’d be ringing Thomas Tuchel to find out whether, if I had an operation, my subsequent lack of game time would stop me getting in the squad. I don’t think it would. If he’s fully fit after an injury, Tuchel will want him in the squad.”
Declan Rice is up there with the best in the world
Warnock believes Arsenal talisman Declan Rice has put himself in the conversation as one of the best midfielders in world football.
“I certainly think Declan Rice is now up there with the best midfielders in the world,” he said. “I’ve been really impressed with how Mikel Arteta has managed him and identified that his strengths lie further up the pitch. He’s brought in Martín Zubimendi as the anchor, which has allowed Rice to play a more attacking role.
“The only thing I would say is that Rice still needs to add more goals to his game now that he’s playing further forward, but he’s more than capable of doing that. At times, he’s too unselfish in front of goal. What we’re seeing from him at the moment is the all-round midfielder that we all know he could be, but he’s just taken it to that next level.
“In terms of being considered the best in the Premier League or the world, he has to keep it up for a number of years first. Rodri has been performing at the highest level for five or six years, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard did it for the best part of 15 years, so he’s got a long way to go to match their legacy.
“He’s been a consistent seven out of 10 for a few years, now he’s moved up to an eight or a nine week-in, week-out, but he’s got to maintain that for many years.”
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