Jaden Philogene is set to be handed an opportunity in the Aston Villa first team after impressing in the pre-season Summer Series.
The winger, who spent last season out on loan with Cardiff, started all three games in the US, a feat that only four other players in the squad managed to do.
On the face of it, Philogene didn’t impress while with the Bluebirds last season scoring four and assisting one but it’s his consistency that would have impressed so many at Villa having started 37 of a possible 45 games last season.
The 21-year-old returned to pre-season with a mission, to impress his new boss Unai Emery and hopefully force his way into the Spaniad’s plans.
His form in pre-season and reports this evening suggest he has succeeded but this is only the beginning for the winger.
Aston Villa are not short of options in his position but the recent injury to Jacob Ramsey could work in his favour giving him time to show Emery that he can produce the goods in the Premier League.
With just two years remaining on his contract and reports suggesting there are plenty of suitors interested in his signature, on a permanent or temporary basis, Philogene will know he will need to take his opportunity with both hands.
Who is Jaden Philogene?
I have known of Philogene for a little while now but I had feared he would be the latest from the academy who would have to find a future elsewhere but this summer he has really stepped up to the plate. In a summer that many thought would belong to Cameron Archer, Philogene had other ideas.
At his age, he should want to play on a regular basis otherwise his progression could be held up so the first half of this season, and Villa’s potential including in European football this year could prove vital.
The winger is different to many of those in the academy. He didn’t go down the usual route of academy football and instead came through the Pro: Direct Academy in London, playing for his college in the Capital city.
He reportedly had trials with the likes of Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers but it was Villa who opted to snap him up in 2018 at the age of 16. He impressed in the u-23 side and was briefly linked with the likes of European giants Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona.
Jaden is known for his direct style in which he loves to dribble with the ball and cut inside. He isn’t scared to put a tackle in which would have impressed his manager. By no means is he the final product but not many are at his age but the near future is bright for a player who is likened to Fulham’s Willian.