Newcastle United may be rethinking their summer business right now. Johan Manzambi, the midfielder they nearly signed, scored the winner as Aston Villa beat Newcastle 1-0 on Saturday — his third goal in Villa colours.
The 21-year-old Switzerland international, who turned down St James’ Park to join Villa in a club-record deal of just over £50 million, headed in unmarked from eight yards out after a superb João Gomes cross.
Johan Manzambi (Credits: BBC Sport)
The One That Got Away
Manzambi had looked set for a move to Newcastle before choosing Villa Park, and he made the Magpies pay in the north east. It was the latest statement from a player who is fast becoming one of the Premier League’s smartest summer signings.
The Swiss star had seen first-hand how good Villa were last season when they beat his Freiburg side 3-0 in the Europa League final. “The team was very good and I played against them in the final,” Manzambi explained. “It’s a very good team with a big coach and that was perfect for me.”
Emery’s Rebuild Is Clicking
The goal came after Manzambi also struck in the 3-2 win at Tottenham and the 6-0 Champions League thrashing of Fenerbahce. His manager Unai Emery could barely hide his delight: “He has made a very good impact with his qualities. Skills and intelligence, both he has, and his physicality is very important as well.”
The numbers back the hype up. Last season in the Bundesliga, Manzambi ranked first in his position for progressive carries (116), shot-ending carries (13) and fouls won (78). A standout World Cup — two goals against Bosnia-Herzegovina and strikes against Canada — put him on the 10-man Kopa Trophy shortlist alongside the likes of Lamine Yamal. The only blemish: a knee injury that kept him out of Switzerland’s last-16 win over Colombia and quarter-final defeat to Argentina.
For a side Emery is rebuilding, a 21-year-old Kopa nominee scoring winners away at Newcastle is about as good a start as it gets.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
