Barcelona defender helps Aston Villa land Champions League qualification for first time in four decades | OneFootball

Barcelona have many tasks in its sports planning, and one key issue is deciding the future of the players who are currently on loan to other clubs.

One such player is centre-back Clement Lenglet. The Frenchman has been playing for Aston Villa this season and has helped them qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 40 years.

Aston Villa are said to be very pleased with Lenglet’s performance, as stated by their Director of Soccer Operations, Damia Vidagany, in an interview with Radio Marca.

“Lenglet has had an impressive season,” said the Aston Villa executive as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

When asked about Lenglet’s performance, Vidagany explained that the defender has played at a very high level, comparable to the best central defenders in the Spanish League. He also noted that Lenglet is on loan from Barcelona without an option to buy.

“He is completing a season on loan with us, without a purchase option.”

Lenglet was key to Villa’s success this season

Clement Lenglet has played 24 matches for Aston Villa this season. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

With their place in the Champions League secured, Aston Villa aim to build a strong project to remain one of England’s top clubs.

Vidagany mentioned that the club, with Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo ‘Monchi’ as the general sporting director and Unai Emery as the coach, looks up to Manchester City as a model for management.

This admiration is not just for their financial power, but also for the strong connections between their various professional departments.

As for Lenglet, he has played 1,981 minutes across 24 official matches for Aston Villa so far this season.

Earlier in May, it was reported that Lenglet was waiting for a meeting with his current coach and Monchi to discuss his future. While it is certain that Lenglet has no place in the Barcelona squad, the lack of a purchase option in his Villa contract could pose a problem.