Interesting article on Vital Villa about how long our players' contracts are:
http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7520595
The gist of it is this:
2020 : Clarke, Bacuna, Westwood, Veretout, Ayew, Traore, Amavi, Gestede
2019 : Baker, Richards, Gana, Sinclair, Gil, Steer
2018 : Agbonlahor, Sanchez, Grealish, Cissokho, Gardner, Crespo
2017 : Guzan, Okore, Bennett, Lescott, Hutton, Kozak, Bunn, Lyden
2016 : Richardson, N'Zogbia, Kinsella, Donacien, Robinson, Calder
The interesting bit as far as I'm concerned is that, generally speaking, the better players have the longer contracts, the deadwood the shorter.
Out of the 2020 lot maybe only Bacuna is a weak prospect, and even he might pick up under a good manager.
Out of the 2019 lot I think Richards needs to go, not sure about Steer or Baker. Gana is a cert stay if we can keep him. I'd keep Sinclair and Gil as well, at least for the moment, as they give us options.
Out of the 2018 lot only Grealish is a stand out keep; maybe there's a case for Sanchez, Cissokho and/or Gardner, really down to the new manager. Gabby and Crespo need to go.
Out of the 2017 lot I'd keep Hutton and Lyden, not sure about Okore's attitude, haven't the faintest over Bennett, case for keeping the others weak.
Out of the 2016 lot I wouldn't be unhappy if we let them all go; I'm not sure the youngsters are good enough. Donacien looked an interesting player in last summer's friendlies and might be OK.
What that means is that if we're really determined to we can keep the best of what talent we've got, and the deadwood isn't too difficult to clear.
Thoughts?
Players' contract lengths
posted on 8/4/16
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posted on 8/4/16
Interesting to see length of contracts. Those whose time is up this year can all go.
The players I would like to keep are :
Hutton Okore Clarke Amavi (not a bad back line)
Westwood Gana Gil Grealish Gardner Traore
Ayew Sinclair
However, we can't just get rid of the rest, (a) because they wouldn't raise enough for decent replacements and (b) because no one will want most of them. So talk of a wholesale clear out is not realistic.
My second list is therefore players it will probably be better to keep (mainly for the bench):
Baker Cissoko
Sanchez, Veretout, Bacuna, Lyden
Then there are those that I would prefer to lose (if any one will have them!):
Guzan Bunn
Richards Crespo Kinsella Lescott
Nzogbia
Gestede Kozak Agbonlahour
Whatever happens, its going to be an interesting summer!