Noel Whelan has claimed Aston Villa must bolster their centre-back options in January despite Diego Carlos stepping up his injury recovery.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Midlands giants must protect against a potential “setback” in the 29-year-old’s return to action.
Carlos suffered an Achilles injury during his second Aston Villa start against Everton in August and Villa responded by buying Leander Dendoncker and Jan Bednarek late in the summer window.
As per his Instagram (via Birmingham Live, 24 November) the reported £26million signing posted a picture of himself hard at work in the gym while in his Villa training kit.
The Brazil international is set to return to action under new Villa Park manager Unai Emery sometime in 2023.
Football Insider revealed on 3 November that Emery has made Villarreal defender Pau Torres a top target – with the Spain international having a reported £38.7million release clause in his contract.
Whelan suggested centre-back must be the priority if Villa are going to “spend big in January”.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think they need a bit more strength in depth and quality in that department.
“Dendoncker and Bednarek have barely played.
“It’s fantastic to see Carlos on the mend. He’s coming back at a good time, the World Cup is giving him a good window to really build up his fitness.
“But if there’s a setback in his return, or if Mings gets injured – they’re back in a really bad position.
“I think if Villa are going to spend big in January, centre-back has to be the area that they do it in.”
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By: Noel Whelan
Title: Aston Villa told to sign Carlos replacement as new injury pictures emerge – pundit
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-told-to-sign-diego-carlos-replacement-as-new-injury-pictures-emerge-pundit/
Published Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2022 08:04:45 +0000
