News and Views
Leandro Bacuna Signs From Aston Villa
13 August 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Leandro Bacuna has completed his move to Reading from Aston Villa, signing a four new contract with the Royals. The midfielder completes his transfer just days ahead of Villa's visit to the Madejski Stadium for their Tuesday night Championship clash. Bacuna played the first 70 minutes of Villa's opening fixture against Hull City but hasn't appeared since after transfer talk gathered pace.
Bacuna began his career with Dutch side FC Groningen, where he made over 100 appearances before a three million pound move to Aston Villa in the summer of 2013. After four years with Villa he made 131 appearances, scoring 8 goals. He was a regular for Villa during three Premier League seasons before their relegation to the Championship and is still just 25 years old.
Bacuna, primarily a midfielder, is a versitile player who could step into the side in midfield, defence or on the wing. He has previously played at right back and maybe used as cover for Chris Gunter. Bacuna appears well known to Reading boss Jaap Stam: "Leandro is a player that we have been following for a while - he has played Premier League football and brings quality to us. He is the type of player who can play in several positions in the team - in midfield, at the back, or even sometimes as a winger. He is a player with the right mentality and who wants to go forward; these are the types of players that we want to have."
Reading's Summer Signings:
- Leandro Bacuna (Aston Villa)
- Modou Barrow (Swansea)
- Vito Mannone (Sunderland)
- Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Wolves)
- Pelle Clement (Ajax)
Discussion On This Story:
LightwaterRoyal
Sky Sports News understands Reading have now ended their interest in the 25-year-old and will turn their attentions to other targets.
Bacuna featured for Villa in their pre-season goalless draw against Watford on Saturday, replacing the injured Jack Grealish in the 26th minute.
The Curacao international made 31 appearances last season as Villa ended their first campaign in the Sky Bet Championship in 13th place.
Bacuna joined Villa from Dutch side Groningen in 2013 and has since featured over 120 times for the club, scoring eight goals.
He has three years remaining on his current deal at Villa Park.
Hound
Not sure whether the rest about us being back in for him or him pushing for a nice are just assumptions based on that
Still sounds like he would be happy for a move if our bid is still on the table and no point Villa keeping hold of an unhappy player who has fallen out with their own fans
Esteban
We don't need any more utility players. We need someone who specialises in one position and is actually oxf*rd good at it.
What's the point of being able to play 10 different formations if we're shit in every one.
We need quality not quantity.
Maybe part of the problem is that Villa keep playing him all over the place and not in his best position?
Hound
We don't need any more utility players. We need someone who specialises in one position and is actually oxf*rd good at it.
What's the point of being able to play 10 different formations if we're shit in every one.
We need quality not quantity.
Don't think we have any real utility players do we?
There are a few players such as Blackett, Gunter and Joey who occasionally cover when desperate but they have clearly defined best positions
Hound
Villa are a basket case club, no one there have covered themselves in glory over the last couple of years
This chap has plenty of games' experience, can fill a number of roles and he has been getting games ahead of a lot bigger names and signings
Plus he should be ready to come straight in, no lack of fitness etc
genome
Was slightly biased by those Champions League comments he made while playing for a relegation threatened team, but he could probably do a job for us. You certainly won't get any other 25 year olds with 85 Premier League appearances in the Championship for the prices we're willing to pay
genome
Maybe its because he's just genuinely shit? Don't know enough about him tbh, but from the little I do, not overly impressed.
The ridiculous comments he made in the media last year have followed him around, that's all I really know about him. I don't know much about him as a footballer, other than he can play in multiple positions, and the impression I got from Villa fans was that he is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none.
Decent levels of experience though, good age, maybe just needs a fresh start.
CountryRoyal
It's important to remember that just because someone is shit for someone doesn't mean they won't be good for someone else in a different team, system etc. I think as fans it's all too easy to forget that. Good to keep an open mind no matter how underwhelming something may seem.
Hound
He has been repeatedly picked out of position from the sound of it, but the managers there clearly rate him
Obv done and said some stupid things, but 1.5m or so actually looks a real bargain for someone of that pedigree
Seems to be a feel that every single player we go for is 'underwhelming', bar the big names like Oliveira who we don't actually end up getting.
Nameless
What do fans know !
Until we've seen a player in our side, with our players, in our system, under our manager it's hard to know whether they will fit in. Stam's done pretty well in the transfer market and has more to lose by signing bad players than anyone so I'd suspend judgement until this bloke has signed and then played.
But of course on a discussion board it's fair enough to discuss him, but the proof will be on the pitch.
Share this article: