Jean Makoun’s Aston Villa career in the balance

Thursday 19th January 2012, 10:59AM GMT.

Jean Makoun’s Aston Villa career in the balance

Jean Makoun’s Aston Villa career was today hanging in the balance after Alex McLeish remained coy on whether the Cameroon midfielder was part of his future plans.

Former boss Gerard Houllier signed Makoun for £6m from Lyon in the transfer window a year ago but he struggled to establish himself, making made just seven Premier League appearances last season.

After one appearance in the Carling Cup, McLeish decided to ship the 28-year-old out on loan to Greek side Olympiakos.

And when asked whether Makoun has a future at the club McLeish was decidedly non-committal.

“It depends. The reason for letting Jean out was I looking for a different type of midfielder. I’m not saying he’s not got a future – it would be stupid to say that – but certainly I was looking at our midfield without Jean,” said the Villa boss.

Meanwhile, McLeish admitted that ex-Wolves striker Robbie Keane is strongly pressing his claims for a starting place against his former club at Molineux on Saturday but added: “There isn’t any pressure to start Robbie. He is not here for long but it has to be the right time.”


  1. 1
    Chris

    yeah, he thought Jenas was a better option…..that says it all.

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  2. 2
    Simon

    “A different type of midfielder” – i.e. someone who can’t pass, can’t tackle, can’t shoot…

    What. A. Complete. Muppet.

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  3. 3
    Dr_Gonzo

    Yeah, what do we need with an international player with bags of Champion’s League experience? We’ve got Fabien Delph instead!

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  4. 4
    Lyonsy

    Yeah this guy is too good to be played in an Alex McLeish midfield, what a douchebag bringing in Jermain Jenas!

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  5. 5
    Nickthevillain

    I thought the guy had great skill, can’t do any worse than what we have got. Great experience, great touch on the ball, just his passing let him down sometimes, but that would come with games and confidence!

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  6. 6
    Limey

    It gets better every day! What type of midfielder is he looking for? One who shares his dislike of moving the ball up the field?

    And now Keene, may or may not play! This is a very expensive form of nonchalance.

    How long can the club fight against the tide? Fan approval is at an all-time low, yet it is ignored, as if it’s unimportant to the clubs future. This is a very odd scenario indeed.

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  7. 7
    Morf

    Ok agent McLeish we surrender.

    Last one out turn the lights off.

    Robbie Keane cant believe his luck 80 grand a week to sit on his Harris.

    UP THE VILLA

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  8. 8
    dave

    gotta aqree with the other villans, makoun looked decent, considering little settling in period he had. now look couple of injury in the middle of the park and were struggling. team of tryers, not enuf in the prem im afraid.just another frustrated villa fan.

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