Alan Shearer has described Aston Villa midfielder Moussa Diaby as a ‘game changer’ after Newcastle United expressed interest in him.
Moussa Diaby, who joined Aston Villa from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, has been a game-changer.
According to pundit Alan Shearer, who was speaking on The Rest is Football.
On Saturday afternoon, Villa dominated Brighton & Hove Albion, winning 6-1 at Villa Park.
Ollie Watkins’ hat-trick made headlines, but fellow striker Diaby deserves credit as well.
Alan Shearer praises Aston Villa attacker Moussa Diaby. Diaby joined Villa from Bayer Leverkusen this summer in a £51 million deal.
Villa, of course, isn’t paying it all at once, and much of the deal is made up of add-ons, but it now appears to be a steal.
The 24-year-old is having a major influence for Villa, and he assisted in the annihilation of Brighton.
Diaby set up Watkins’ first goal before his shot was tipped in for an own goal by Pervis Estupinan.
Alan Shearer, who praised Diaby’s performance against the Seagulls, has now praised him.
Diaby, according to Shearer, has been a ‘game changer’ for Villa, with his pace posing endless issues for defenders.
“I do think that Diaby has been a game changer for them because of his pace up front, because of how they can sit back and soak up a bit of pressure but then, once they win that ball back, because of his pace and his ability to get in behind, then I think he’s been a game changer for them and he’s certainly helping Ollie Watkins be a better player,” Shearer said.
Diaby was a target for Newcastle United.
The irony is that Shearer could have been referring to Diaby as a Newcastle United player.
The Magpies, Shearer’s cherished club, were extensively connected with an attempt to sign Diaby.
Bild reported in July that Newcastle were interested in bringing Diaby to St James’ Park, however the Daily Mail reported that Newcastle had backed away from Diaby and instead focused on Harvey Barnes.
Barnes contributed to Newcastle’s homegrown numbers but is presently injured.
It’s easy to see Diaby wreaking havoc on this Newcastle side, but Shearer will have to admire him from distance rather than cheer him on in the renowned black and white stripes.
