Would you want Rodallega at Villa?
A couple of seasons ago Hugo Rodallega was talked about quite a lot as he was linked with a number of big clubs both in the U.K. and on the continent. I remember Villa being linked a few times the last few seasons, and that was for a fee of between £12 and £15 million. Now he’s available on a free transfer and we’re being linked again, with a local paper in Wigan citing us, as well as Stoke and Celtic as being interested:
‘Celtic, Stoke and Aston Villa continue to be linked with Rodallega, who hit the post in his Latics farewell against Wolves on May 13.’
I’ve always been an admirer of Rodallega, even though taking a closer look at his goal record doesn’t make for overly inspiring reading. He only managed two league goals last season, and his total at Wigan is a pretty average 24 goals in 117 games, near enough a one in five goals per game average. I remember he scored that absolute screamer at Villa Park a few years ago when they beat us 2-0 on the opening game of the season, and perhaps that is a reason why I seem to like the player.
We were linked with another free transfer target Pavel Pogrebnyak a few weeks ago, and he ultimately went to Reading on ridiculous wages. I can’t see us, Stoke or Celtic breaking the bank for the player, so perhaps it could represent some value. Just yesterday we wrote about whether we need another striker, and although Rodallega isn’t the physical striker I wanted to see, I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing him in.
He knows what the Premiership is about, despite his mediocre record and on a free adds a decent quality player and as we’ve talked about, frees up funds for more pressing areas. He might need a fresh start to get firing again, and there is limited risk in signing a player on a free, as long as the wages aren’t ridiculous.
What do you all think? Is he the type of player you’d like to see come in, especially considering he’s available on a free, or should we steer clear?
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No. No no no no. Like Agbonlahor, but less effective and less prolific. And that is quite some achievement.
Like yourself I think it could be a decent signing on a free. Think he was linked with Arsenal, Spurs and others not too long ago, and at 26 is a good age. His lack of goals is a worry, especially for a striker! And in a team that doesn’t always score much, you might be a bit worried if Bent were to go down again. Still wouldn’t mind, mainly because he’s on a free though.
Hell no. Never rated him. Agree with TJ. Worse than Gabby, who I’d ship out.
Gents, he really isn’t as good as supporters from other clubs think he is.
He’s our record Premier League scorer, but he doesn’t have enough pace, strength or bottle to be a top class striker.
There are better strikers out there who’ll demand less in wages.
Rodallega is the best striker in England!… I think if our team buys Hugo Rodallega… he will be the best… you haven´t seen to Rodagol, you don´t know that Hugo was the goal scorer in the colombian suramericano in 2005..
Hugo was always linked to those bigger clubs by himself or his agent! Nothing ever seemed to come of them and now that he’s a free they don’t seem to be chasing after him. Definitely a fans favourite in Wigan but he’s not the answer to your goalscoring problems.
Take him, then you can finish below Wigan again. Hahahahahahahaha!