Ryan Bertrand...

I think if he has a good loan spell, he could play a big part next season. Or give us a good idea on if we want to invest big on another LB or not.

No point wasting him on the bench, Azpi has been in fine form as has Ivanovic, Cole will find form again.

Does Mourinho think we have enough in Cole and Azpilicueta covering out of position or could this mean something may happen with Shaw? I had imagined is we moved for Shaw Bertrand would be going the other way. I’d imagine Shaw will move in the summer though, either to us or City.

comment by Bluedroog - Bring Back Smokewheel Pizza Lover aka Angelina Jolie is beautiful (U17596)
posted 9 minutes ago
Does Mourinho think we have enough in Cole and Azpilicueta covering out of position or could this mean something may happen with Shaw? I had imagined is we moved for Shaw Bertrand would be going the other way. I’d imagine Shaw will move in the summer though, either to us or City.
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Like someone mentioned in the article below, this could be a good thing for the Shaw transfer. If Bertrand is playing regularly and does well, he can be used in the transfer.

In any case, he needs to be playing.

I think it's a good move for all 3 parties, Ryan gets the playing time he deserves, Villa get a good player and hopefully we get Villa to grab a few points off our rivals whilst developing one of our own.

Long term I see Ryan competing with Patrick - who is having a fine season with Vitesse, and is now a Dutch international as I understand - if indeed Cole departs.

We'll probably sign a left back as a starter in the summer, even if Ashley stays which would leave no room for Ryan or Patrick, we'll see. It's a good problem to have from the club's perspective.

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Off the wage bill

FFP

So basically a young player who needs development at the club either leaves early to further their career on or shows patience and loyalty and still just ends up leaving (this move is obviously to get Bertrand's stock up for summer where we'll probably sell him..)