Why Aston Villa should make a move for Harold Moukoudi in January

Back in August 2018, the L’Equipe (h/t the Birmingham Mail) had claimed that Aston Villa were one of the clubs interested in signing then Le Havre defender Harold Moukoudi. However, no deal materialized.

A product of Le Havre’s youth system, Harold Moukoudi, 22, made his first-team debut for the French club back in 2016. In his three-year spell at Le Havre, the 22-year-old defender managed 59 appearances, scoring six goals.

The one-cap Cameroon international signed for Saint-Etienne in June on a free transfer for Le Havre. Moukoudi has had a stop-start debut season with Saint-Etienne so far, managing 10 Ligue 1 appearances.

Regardless of an underwhelming start to the Ligue 1 season, Aston Villa must rekindle their interest in the central defender during the January transfer window.

Aston Villa clearly need more reinforcements despite signing 12 players this past summer transfer window. They are just a place above the relegation having lost the last three games in the Premier League.

Things are looking bleak for the Villans and if Dean Smith fails to improve his squad over the January transfer window, troubles are only going to deepen in the second half of the season.

Harold Moukoudi is one of the highly-rated French defenders. (Getty Images)

Smith’s side have been vulnerable at the back, leaking 33 goals in 18 games till date. They could face a tough time with Tyrone Mings picking up a hamstring injury during Villa’s 4-1 defeat to Leicester City earlier this month. That has left the Midlands club with Bjorn Engels, Ezri Konsa, Kortney Hause and James Chester as options at the back.

However, that is not enough for an Aston Villa side fighting tooth and nail to stay in the top-flight this season. Defensive reinforcements are the need of the hour and Smith could do a wonderful job by signing Harold Moukoudi next month.

Moukoudi is regarded as one of the best young defensive talents in France and has the attributes to make an immediate impact at Villa Park.

He is immensely composed on the ball, a good reader of the game and his fearlessness when under pressure makes him a perfect fit for the English game. Standing at over 6ft. 3in tall, the French-born Cameroonian is a colossal figure and thrives in the physical game.

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith. (Getty Images)

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The 22-year-old’s strength and aerial prowess make him a valuable asset in both boxes. In the absence of Mings, Moukoudi can lead Villa’s defensive unit. In the video below, one can see why Moukoudi’s reading of the game and leadership skills.

Verdict

If Smith convinces him to join the Villans in January, Moukoudi would be a vital addition to the team.