Leander Dendoncker should empty his Aston Villa locker after transfer of Youri Tielemans

Although the signing of Leicester City free agent Youri Tielemans will bolster the ranks at Aston Villa significantly, it could spell the end of Leander Dendoncker’s time at the club.

The club confirmed (10 June) that the Belgian international would officially become a Villa player on a free transfer on 1 July after his contract at the King Power Stadium expired.

The 26-year-old is coming into the club as a direct competitor for Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara in the middle of the park, with Villa expected to need more bodies after their qualification for the Europa Conference League.

However, with four alternative central midfield options, including John McGinn, now available to Unai Emery, Dendoncker could be forced to empty his Bodymoor Heath locker if he wants regular minutes moving forward.

Since signing from Wolves for a £13million fee on transfer deadline day, the 28-year-old has struggled for game time, amassing just 901 minutes of Premier League action across 24 appearances.

And although he has been solid and dependable presence, Villa might need to invest in a more all-round midfielder to help the club succeed on the European stage next season.

There is no doubting the Belgian international’s defensive contributions, finishing the season in the 97th percentile for interceptions made by Premier League midfielders last season (1.88 per 90) as well as the top 10% of his counterparts for blocks (2.07 per 90) and passes blocked (1.68 per 90). [FBREF]

However, his work on the ball could be more productive.

Dendoncker sits in the bottom 25% of Premier League midfielders for touches per game (48.70), a total which is significantly less than Tieleman’s average of 72.07, Luiz’s 65.12 and Kamara’s 57.99.

He also is in the worst 10% for miscontrols (0.99 per 90) and only managed an average of 33 successful passes per outing, which again is less than the aforementioned trio.

Emery’s philosophy since arriving at Villa Park has been a possession-orientated game, and although he is accurate with his passing, at an 80.3% success rate, Dendoncker doesn’t offer himself regularly enough when the team tries to build up attacks from the back.

With Tielemans through the door, Dendoncker could be heading in the opposite direction before he knows it.