Since eventually making his widely anticipated £32.5 million move to Liverpool this summer, many expected life for the Anfield faithful to be greatly improved in light of Chritian Benteke’s arrival at their club. The Belgian international seemingly provides power, pace and goals in the final third – which certainly remains somewhat of a premium in the Premier League nowadays.

However, after experiencing a rather flat start to the new campaign among Brendan Rodgers’ side, certain question marks may well be surrounding the player’s mind now that things haven’t quite worked out as rosy as many previously predicted for Liverpool. So far this term, the Reds have looked somewhat slow, distinctly uncreative and severely lacking when it comes to offering Benteke the service he needs to do the business up-top.

You would have thought a side like Liverpool – with all the money that has been spent at the club on transfers in recent windows – would have had enough about them to avoid such a frustrating outcome this season. As recent performances have displayed however, Brendan Rodgers’ attacking trio have remained almost as disjointed and isolated as the ill-fated likes of Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert proved at Anfield last season.

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So then, whilst the vast majority of the 2015/16 campaign admittedly remains to be decided at this stage in the proceedings, should Liverpool’s Christian Benteke already be regretting his recent move to Merseyside, or are improved fortunes just waiting around the corner for Reds supporters and the Belgian front-man alike?

Well, seeing as Brendan Rodgers remains the most pressured Premier League manager currently operating within the English top-flight at the moment, perhaps the former Aston Villa striker may well have been a tad hasty in deciding to leave Villa Park for Merseyside this summer. On the surface, Benteke has potentially joined a slowly sinking ship without a recognised captain on board to help his side successfully break the top-four this season.

The 24-year-old striker, who was nonetheless coveted by a whole host of other top-flight clubs this summer, seemingly joined the Reds on the pretence that Champions League football would soon on the horizon at Anfield. As Brendan Rodgers subsequently saw fit to pair Benteke up with the newly acquired Roberto Firmino – and hero of the 2014/15 campaign, Philippe Coutinho – all the cards were apparently in place for Liverpool to thrive in front of goal this term.

However, thanks partially to a lack of managerial quality from Rodgers himself, such a fairy-tale-like outcome simply hasn’t taken place for the Reds so far in 2015/16. For one reason or another, Liverpool still look short of scoring goals – and as Daniel Sturridge is yet to fully implement himself back within the first team set-up at Anfield – the immediate future doesn’t exactly look too promising for the Reds, as things currently stand.

Yet even though Liverpool are yet to truly show the full potential seemingly on offer from their expensively assembled squad this season, Christian Benteke simply has to hang in there now that his big decision to move to Merseyside has already been made.

If the former Villa Park favourite is struggling to reach a meaningful partnership with the likes of Firmino and Coutinho, then more work on the training ground simply has to be done among Liverpool’s current striking options. Each of the aforementioned players certainly possess the potential to be great together in the Premier League, so perhaps with a few more games collectively under their belts, the Anfield faithful will finally start seeing some improved results from their supposedly exciting front-men.

After all, Christian Benteke is a player who can seemingly score out of nowhere – that much was clearly obvious against Manchester United last time out. Liverpool shelled out just over £30 million on the Belgian striker this summer for a reason. He’s the man who has been tasked with doing the business in front of goal for his side this term – and even if his service remains somewhat lacking across the next few domestic fixtures – Benteke will still likely find goals from somewhere.

As the 24-year-old centre-forward undoubtedly provides an update on the likes of Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert for the Anfield faithful this season, there is no reason why the newly acquired striker won’t discover a rich vein of form sooner or later in Liverpool colours. It just seems inevitable more than anything else.

Ultimately then, although Liverpool’s current predicament up-top may need ironing out somewhat between matches, the long-term future nonetheless remains positive for the Reds with Christian Benteke solidly on board. He is simply a natural born goal-scorer who will get the job done one way or another – even if several other first team members of Rodgers’ starting XI remain startlingly sub-standard.

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Liverpool were one of the most active Premier League clubs in the summer transfer window.

With as many as seven new signings, there have been a lot of new additions to the top 10 highest paid Liverpool players. One interesting thing about Liverpool’s wage structure is that few of the highest earners are no longer preferred to be in the starting line-up.

If Liverpool decide to sell few of their out-of-favour players their wage bill will drastically decrease. But who are the big earners justifying their salary and who’s not quite doing enough to earn their crust.

Here’s a look at Liverpool’s top ten highest earners this season. Do you agree with their wage structure? Or are there some players at Anfield earning way too much, or way too little?

This article was submitted via our new Write For Us feature. Think you can do better? Submit your own article via the link below, and make sure you follow @FFC_WFU on Twitter for #RealOpinions…

10. Nathaniel Clyne – £70,000-a-week

9. Philippe Coutinho – £75,000-a-week

8. José Enrique- £75,000-a-week

7. Martin Skrtel – £75,000-a-week

6. Lucas Leiva – £80,000-a-week

5. Roberto Firmino – £100,000-a-week

4. Jordan Henderson – £100,000-a-week

3. Daniel Sturridge – £120,000-a-week

2. James Milner – £120,000-a-week

1. Christian Benteke – £140,000-a-week

The continuing decline of Premier League representatives in European competition has allowed people to once again speculate that England could lose the prized fourth Champions League spot. It’s seen as a privileged bonus and one that teams should fight to preserve. But maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if England lost it for a while?At first that sounds like crazy talk. Why would anybody turn down a ticket for the best party in town? The problem is English teams have been the rowdy gate-crashers for some time. The flash big spenders that cause a lot of fuss and get sent home early with a headache. Throughout the decline of English teams’ performance in the Champions League the technical level of the Premier League has suffered. The two are interlinked.UEFA undoubtedly sell the Champions League to chairman as the financial yellow brick road. The pot available for distribution to participating clubs currently stands at €1.257bn per season. Couple that with the ever-increasing television deals the Premier League can secure, and suddenly English clubs are living by that favourite line primary school teachers like to use: It’s not the winning, it’s the taking part that counts.That’s not to say teams wouldn’t mind becoming champions of Europe, but it is just a bonus, secondary to collecting constant Champions League revenues. The current model has turned all English sides into the Aston Villa of Europe; they’re just happy to be there without attacking the root cause of their deficiencies.Finishing fourth in a domestic league should be sickening if you consider yourself to be a top club with title winning credentials. Instead it’s becoming more and more a case of job done for the regular protagonists that battle it out for Champions League spots. Arsene Wenger has a job for life, not because he has won titles in the last ten years but thanks to his ability to always ensure European qualification.

If the fourth place was taken away, then one year Arsenal or Manchester United could miss out. Instead of feeling like they’d completed their mission, all eyes would switch to taking the title. The only sure-fire way to ensure Champions League football would be to have a decent title challenge.

The following season they could rebuild and focus primarily on this task. The Europa League games would be given to a second string as the first team tried to take the crown.

This singular focus from a big club would evolve the technical level of the domestic game. Behind them teams that had been freed of the Europa League could bolster their domestic push. Instead of having an exciting league because the standards are dropping we’d have a quality league with the ability to dominate Europe again.

A similar repeat of last year’s performance in Europe by English clubs could see the Champions League allocation reduced for 2017/18. Next season is already set but if Italy have another decent run the Premier League should be scared. Last year the Italian coefficient was 19 to England’s 13.571. Already English teams have exited the Europa League and Juventus have beaten Manchester City at the Etihad.

Juventus are an example of a side that needed a reset before re-emerging as a European force, finishing as runners-up in last season’s European showcase.

Sometimes it’s necessary to take one step back to take several forward…

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Everton have perhaps the most talented nucleus of young players on the continent plying their trade together at Goodison Park, as the likes of John Stones, Romelu Lukaku, Gerard Deulofeu and Ross Barkley continue to impress.

Still, the Toffees are not yet wholly convincing. A terribly leaky defence, including eight goals shipped at home in their last three games has consistently undermined their attacking prowess this term. Shot stopper Tim Howard seems to have suffered an alarming dip in form, while the continued absence of Phil Jagielka has not helped matters.

The manner in which the Merseyside club dealt with Chelsea’s pursuit of John Stones over the summer was encouraging, allowing Roberto Martinez and those behind the scenes to focus on buying players to aid their cause, rather than the onus being on who is about to leave.

On paper, the squad is more than good enough to challenge the top six. Lukaku is amongst the best strikers in the league, while Stones and Deulofeu continue to get better and better.

With some additions, Martinez can guide this young team into the top six.

How will he get there? Well signing any of these FIVE will help…

DAVID MARSHALL

Tim Howard’s alarming dip in form has been well documented this season, as the American custodian has repeatedly flapped at a cross or failed to appropriately clear his lines. Though he has served the club with distinction in his nine years there, perhaps he is on the wane.

Cardiff City stopper David Marshall has been touted as his potential replacement, as the Scot earned many a plaudit during the Bluebirds’ brief stint in the Premier League. The 30-year old was named in the Sky Sports Team of the Year despite facing relegation, giving you an idea of just how admirably he performed.

He’s amassed a wealth of top level experience during his time with Celtic and the Scottish national team and remains an athletic stopper even into his 30s. Would be a more dependable option than Diego Lopez, cheaper than Jack Butland and no doubt an improvement on Howard in his current state.

SAM BYRAM

Leeds youngster Sam Byram looks set to leave the Yorkshire Giants this month after rejecting a new deal with his boyhood club. The versatile 22-year old has been linked with a raft of Premier League teams as a result, after a series of impressive performances made him one of the hottest talents outside of the top tier.

Able to play anywhere up the right flank, Byram would be a natural fit at Goodison Park. A fine athlete, he would be both excellent cover as well as competition, for Seamus Coleman. With Tony Hibbert coming to the end of his career, Martinez should look to increase his options at right-back.

Young, hungry and comfortable carrying the ball forward, the Toffees could do a lot worse than splashing out for Byram. Look how well John Stones turned out when he arrived from Barnsley, after all.

CALUM CHAMBERS

Another young English defender thought to be under consideration is Arsenal’s Calum Chambers. The 20-year old has seen his career progress somewhat stall after the emergence of Hector Bellerin, as the former Southampton man looks to get back on track.

The Toffees defence has looked incredibly shaky at times and the addition of a gifted, young, versatile defender would be wise. Alongside Stones, Ramiro Funes Mori and Phil Jagielka, Chambers could form a dynamic pairing at the heart of the Everton defence.

Perhaps a move away from Arsenal can help the player get back to his best, which would be some prospect for Everton should they land him.

INAKI WILLIAMS

Having emerged as one of the brightest talents in Spanish football, Atletico Bilbao starlet Inaki Williams has been talked about as a potential target.

Should Everton follow up their reported interest in the Spanish under-21 international, it would be quiet the statement of intent.

Though his buyout clause is understood to be in the region of €20m, a hefty sum of money for a 21 year-old, Williams has the potential to go on to great things in the game.

Now the £28m for Lukaku is reaping the rewards, Williams might just be a gamble worth taking if Everton want to sustain their attempts to break into the top four for the first time in a decade.

If Stoke can sign Xherdan Shaqiri, Bournemouth sign Juan Iturbe and Crystal Palace land Yohan Cabaye, anything can happen.

DENIS CHERYSHEV

Aiden McGeady and Kevin Mirallas have both been linked with move away from Merseyside this month, as they search for first team football ahead of Euro 2016.

Despite Arouna Kone forming a decent partnership with Lukaku, the wide forward department may be a little light should the frustrated duo be afforded the chance to leave.

Perhaps making a move for Real Madrid winger Denis Cheryshev, who has frustrations ahead of next summer’s showpiece in France of his own, could help balance the squad out while please all parties.

Lining the ex-Villarreal loan star up on the opposing flank to Deulofeu, either side of Ross Barkley is a potentially mouth-watering prospect.

Securing the Madridista, even on a six-month loan deal, would boost the attacking ranks at Goodison Park and give a speedy, direct option in contrast to the more technical Deulofeu on the right.

Mauro Zarate has it all. Top-notch skill, the ability to score goals and a shoal of vociferous support at all the clubs he has played at.

But as he completes a £1.6million move to Serie A outfit Fiorentina, is this just another case of a young footballing talent corrupted by an ego to match?

Zarate’s move to back to Italy somewhat resonates what a large part of his career has been about – ongoing club changes – he just can’t seem to settle. He’s a player laden with talent, and when he first broke onto the scene at hometown club Velez Sarsfield aged 17, he took the league by storm.

In his first full season, he shared the top-scorer award with no other than Rodrigo Palacio, now at Inter Milan.

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So much was hoped from the youngster and when he completed a move to Qatari outfit El-Sadd for £14million, many were scratching their heads. This move was motivated by money, and it sets the tone for the rest of Zarate’s career.

This was the time to make a big move, this was the time to move to a recognisable league where he can dominate headlines. A move to money-rich Qatar was never going to do this and he was quickly shipped to then-Premier League Birmingham City.

He endeared himself to the Bluenoses and for the first time in his career, people were beginning to shout his name from the terraces. Unfortunately the Blues were relegated and we completed a loan deal to Lazio- where he would have the best spell in his career.

He excelled and was playing the best football of his career, which was beginning to take off. But off-field-antics soon appeared in Zarate’s game and after making an alleged fascist salute whilst on the bench against Bari, Zarate was slated in the Italian press.

Keen to clear their name, Zarate was sent on a fruitless loan to Inter Milan for a year and upon his arrival back at Lazio, he was repeatedly fined and frozen out of the side for poor attitude and lateness.

This was a pattern that continued to emerge for what was an evidently talented but uncontrollable young man. He had talent beyond his years, but an inability to put a cap on his explosive attitude.

A return to homeland club Sarsfield did the trick, where he finished top scorer in the 2013-2014 season. Fortunately for Zarate, Premier League outfit West Ham were set to gamble on the Argentinian bad-boy and give him his permanent chance in the biggest league in the world.

WANT MORE? >> West Ham transfer news | Latest transfer news

After a goal on his debut, it looked like things may have finally settled down for Zarate, but the Hammers sent him straight on-loan to neighbours QPR, where again, things nosedived.

After being left out of the starting line-up, Zarate voiced his displeasure, with his inability to control his emotions visible yet again for the umpteenth time in his beleaguering career. This resulted in more time on the bench and another spell where his reputation was tarnished.

And that brings us back to the present day. After some good form under Slaven Bilic at West Ham, he was ultimately sold again for £1.6million this month to La Viola.

At 29, Zarate should now have the head on his shoulders needed to compete at the top level. He’s a player that can perform when he wants to and it’s now-or-never for one-time Argentinian wonderkid.

One can only imagine where he would be playing now if he had the same attitude as his fellow countryman – Lionel Messi.

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Stoke City are seventh in the Premier League, only one place away from European football. Surprised?

Perhaps you are, but the Potters have been creeping towards the top end of the Premier League for weeks now and they have given them every chance of grabbing a last-gasp Europa League place.

And they owe it to a certain few individuals in particular, but none more so than forward Marko Arnautovic, who has been key for them this campaign.

The Austrian signed for Stoke back in 2013 and he failed to have a huge breakthrough upon his arrival, but this season he has kicked into a world of his own. Ten goals in 31 games has helped push Stoke towards the right end of the table.

Whilst the same old names grab the headlines though, Arnautovic has plodded along, doing his thing and helping Stoke push on without being in the limelight. Which leads some to ask, why hasn’t the Austrian international attracted more public attention?

Again, part of it has been the magic of Leicester City, etc. Whilst the majority of neutral football fans have been cooing over the Foxes’ attempts to win the Premier League, teams like Stoke have been widely ignored.

But Arnautovic has every right to be in the limelight as much as his Premier League co-stars. What does he bring to the Potters that he could potentially add to someone else’s squad?

Firstly, he has untold passion. Despite a slightly difficult-to-control temperament, Arnautovic is an extremely passionate footballer who wears his heart on his sleeve. Take this to a side like Arsenal, for example. They seem to be lacking some battle and fight right now, and their defeat to Swansea in the week proved that.

If you added the Austrian to the Gunners, they would have a mean, up-for-it player in their ranks. He doesn’t hold back and sometimes his passionate approach can win you games, and bring out moments of extreme brilliance.

He’s also extremely versatile. He can play as an out-and-out striker or as a winger, which is an extreme coup for the Potters, and has proved effective for them on a number of occasions this term.

Having the ability to play the robust striker role and as a winger is very important in today’s game and Mark Hughes has been able to work between Bojan, Arnautovic and Diouf as central forward players this season – a big part of Stoke’s success.

But all of these skills and qualities will, one day, be recognised by potential suitors. He’s played in some of the top leagues in Europe for the likes of Werder Bremen, Inter Milan and FC Twente and that has really reflected in his play.

If he was to make a move, it would be pretty damning for Stoke. But if he can keep up his good form and alongside his team-mates, keep getting good results, the Potters could make the Europa League – and then, why would he leave?

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In the final fixture of a thoroughly entertaining weekend of Premier League action, Manchester United play hosts to Everton at Old Trafford in a 4pm kickoff.

The official starting Xis came through on Twitter around half an hour ago and one major talking point has emerged – Roberto Martinez’s decision to recall prodigious Toffees duo John Stones and Gerard Deulofeu.

The English defender’s seemingly uncontrollable ball-playing instincts have attracted much criticism of late and he’s not actually played a full ninety minutes for the Goodison outfit since the end of January, starting just one of their last nine fixtures across all competitions.

Likewise, injuries have limited winger Deulofeu to just two substitute appearances in the last two months, although he’d previously amassed an impressive two goals and eight assists in 23 Premier League outings.

Both are considered to be amongst Everton’s most exciting prospects but Toffees fans have produced mix reactions on social media. Here are some of the best responses to their inclusion for the visit to Manchester United.

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New Celtic signing Kristoffer Ajer has said he is prepared to put in the hard graft to succeed at Celtic and make sure any new manager will take notice of his performances.

The Norwegian was signed by current manager Ronny Deila, yet the young striker isn’t concerned by his countryman’s decision to leave Celtic Park at the end of the season:

WANT MORE? >> Celtic transfer news | Scottish Premiership transfer news

“I knew that Ronny’s job was unsafe. It’s a club that has a lot of managers. Now I will join Celtic with a new manager and my performances will determine whether I can play or not.” He is quoted by the Daily Record.

“I don’t see Ronny not being at Celtic as a disadvantage. He is a fantastic coach who is second to none, but I will have to impress someone else now.”

“I’ve tried to toughen up for my move to Scotland. I have five games left here and I want to give everything for Start before I leave.”

Ajer is currently playing for IK Start in Norway, but will be leaving the Norwegian club this summer to make his move to the Scottish club.

The 18 year old usually plays in an attacking midfield role, but has been played as a striker for Start since the beginning of the Norwegian Tippeligaen season to improve his strength and make better use of his 6 ft 4 frame.

He has scored one goal in 10 games so far this campaign, which came in a 8-0 win over Donn in the Norwegian Cup.

Start sit bottom of the table and have not won in the league so far this season with four draws and four defeats.

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Manchester United winger Memphis Depay’s dream move from PSV Eindhoven to Manchester United has developed into a nightmare.

The 22-year-old joined for a fee that may rise to £31million last summer, but has been unable to even live up to a fraction of his price-tag.

Depay has been given chances to impress by manager Louis van Gaal time and time again, with the player unable to replicate the feats shown during his time in the Dutch top flight.

He is now being linked with an exit, and Man United could be forced to cut their losses. Yet some people still believe the best is yet to come from this young star.

Maybe he is under too much pressure to showcase his talents in a squad still in transition, or is even pushing himself too hard to live up to his expectations as the next Cristiano Ronaldo.

With the number seven shirt on his back, is this attacker wasting his time playing for United?

Let’s have a look at FIVE key reasons why Memphis Depay is wasting his career at the club!

Fans have lost faith in him

Simply enough, most players struggle to perform if the fans have turned their back on them. Experienced players tend to benefit from criticism as they look to prove their doubters wrong, but for Depay, he looks to be trying too hard to take the game into his own hands.

Despite his hefty price-tag, if he continues playing the way he has been, United may be forced to sell him for a cut-price fee. We aren’t saying that he will never come good, but we are saying he might be better off playing elsewhere, whether on loan or permanently.

The emergence of fellow starlets

When he joined Manchester United, Memphis Depay was seen as a key player capable of taking them to the next level following an impressive campaign in the Dutch league. However, everyone soon realised that that wasn’t the case as they have now turned to other members of the squad for success.

Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford were able to make instant impacts, while Jesse Lingard has also been pushing his way into a regular role. The emergence of the three players has seen Depay become a fringe option that could do with a lot more game time.

The managerial instability

Given the managerial situation at Old Trafford, Memphis Depay will be directly affected every time there is a change. Without a permanent role in the squad and lack of chances, he may need to be on his toes in order to continue to try and prove his worth to whomever is in charge, whether it be Louis van Gaal or even Jose Mourinho.

He is still unable to establish himself as a main attacking outlet for the Red Devils, and a switch to another club could instil him with the confidence he so desperately needs. United are still in transition, meaning if Depay wants to win any silverware with this current side, he may need to wait a while longer.

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The expectation to become the next Cristiano Ronaldo

Upon his arrival Memphis Depay was the centre of attention, and everyone had high expectations for him. However, as the season drew on, it became clearer and clearer that faith had been somewhat misplaced.

We have often seen Depay show-boating, with the player eventually unable to take on fellow Premier League defenders. His career is now being wasted with the intentions to try and become the next Ronaldo for United, something he is still rather far from achieving.

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His overall attitude

As we have seen with many footballers, Memphis Depay has fallen victim to the lavish lifestyle that comes with playing for a club like Manchester United. With his wages of £90,000-a-week, he is being paid more than Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane (£50,000-a-week), who has 28 goals to his name this term compared to Depay’s seven.

He is now being paid so much money to sit on the bench and feature as a substitute, it seems that he is more focused on his fashion sense and car collection than football. Unless United can change his attitude off-the-field, he is bound to struggle on it.

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With Roberto Di Matteo installed as new Aston Villa manager, fans of the club are anxious to see whether the club can get back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.

It would seem that Roberto Di Matteo is doing all he can to make that happen; with the club being linked with a host of new transfer targets, with several set to go through imminently.

There are also a few long term targets that the club are still looking at, as they look to beef up their squad after a disappointing campaign last time out.

Some of the team’s key stars look set for the exit door this summer, and so Villa bosses are set to bring in talent up and down the pitch as they bid for a return to the top flight.

Here are SIX additions to complete Di Matteo’s promotion chasing Aston Villa XI…

Patrick Bamford

The first addition comes in the form of a loan deal, with the club looking to sign up Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford on a year long temporary transfer.

English football fans will be well aware of the young striker, who despite having a very poor season last year, was absolutely prolific during his few years on loan in the Championship in the last few years.

Di Matteo is seemingly ready to use his Chelsea connections to snap up the young striker as he looks to build a threatening strike force to fire his side right to the top of the Championship.

If this Villa side can capture the ex-Championship Player of the Year it would be great business, with the striker almost guaranteeing goals next year.

Ross McCormack

It would seem that Di Matteo is not putting all his eggs in the same basket however, with the manager desperate to get at least one new striker in this summer.

He has reportedly drawn up a long transfer list of potential targets, with Fulham star Ross McCormack near the top of the pile.

The Scottish star has been in fine form for the London side, having scored 23 league goals for them last season.

If Villa can capture McCormack he, like Bamford, would guarantee goals next year.

Rickie Lambert

For a side that need goals desperately next year, Villa would be hardpressed to find someone more prolific than Rickie Lambert.

Di Matteo is reportedly looking at the long term Villa target as he searches for a new forward.

Lambert exploded onto the scene with Southampton a few years ago, and despite his goal tally slowing down in recent times, there is no doubting his quality.

He is getting on, but as a short term stopgap; Villa could do no better than this experienced forward.

Costel Pantilimon

Another player that Di Matteo is reportedly desperate to capture is experienced shot stopper Costel Pantilimon.

Currently plying his trade for Watford, after a long spell with Manchester City, the towering goal keeper would be a huge upgrade in goal for this Villa side.

A reliable man between the sticks will be essential for this Villa side next season, and they would struggle to do better than Pantilimon.

The Daily Mirror are reporting that Di Matteo sees the keeper as his sides new number 1, and will therefore do everything he can do to sign him this summer.

Pierluigi Gollini

It would seem that Pantilimon is not the only goalkeeping target for Pantilimon however, with several news outlets reporting that Pierluigi Gollini will sign for the club imminently.

The sought after keeper will reportedly sign for the club imminently, adding some much needed depth and prowess to the Aston Villa back line.

It remains to be seen whether Di Matteo sees him as a first choice keeper, or if he would rather bring in Pantilimon as well – but it seems clear that Di Matteo sees Aston Villa’s current goalkeeping choices as a weak spot heading into next season.

Aaron Tshibola

Another player that looks set to imminently sign for Aston Villa over the next few days is Aaron Tshibola.

Currently starring for Reading, the centre back is the subject of a £5 million bid from Villa, which has reportedly been accepted by their Championship rivals.

Di Matteo seemingly deems Aston Villa’s defense in desperate need of back up, and so the defender seems a perfect fit.

At just £5 million some have called the deal a steal, with the defender oozing class and potential. A great signing.