Southampton: Shane Long linked with Aston Villa loan move
By Chris Hughes
Today Southampton forward Shane Long has been linked with a loan move to Championship side Aston Villa.
BirminghamLive are reporting that Steve Bruce has identified the Irish forward as the man he wants to sign before the loan window for the Championship shuts at the end of the month.
Long has struggled to regularly score in the past two seasons, finding the back of the net just five times in two years – this compares to 20 in the two campaigns collectively before that.
The regular defence for the forward’s lack of goals is his impressive work-rate and the intensity he brings, however a lot of supporters have also said that isn’t enough to warrant him being a striker in a Premier League
Despite this, the report claims that Steve Bruce isn’t sure if Long would be willing to drop down a tier back to the Championship, having not played in the second division since 2011 when he scored a career-high 21 league goals in 44 matches with Reading.
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Long wasn’t included in Mark Hughes’ squad for the Saints’ draw with Burnley last Sunday but featured as a right-winger off the bench against Everton this past weekend – his work-rate seems to be a lot more effective out wide but ultimately his dribbling and crossing abilities aren’t at the same level as the Saints’ natural wide players.
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Furthermore Long’s play-style is very similar to Southampton’s newest recruit Danny Ings, with both players blessed with pace and they both like to break in behind on the end of long balls.
With Ings confirmed to be joining the club next summer for anywhere between £16 and £20 million, it seemed like Long’s days could be numbered, although he cannot of course join another English side permanently until January with the transfer window closing just under a fortnight ago.
A loan move to the Championship seems a realistic option for Long who is now the fourth-choice striker that the club, although Villa are apparently more interested in pursuing a loan deal for Tammy Abraham.
The young forward impressed in a disappointing Swansea City team last campaign as the Welsh side were relegated, although no Premier League side gave the Chelsea man another shot in the top flight.
It would surprise many if the Blues weren’t interested in loaning one of their young talents out, but if they ultimately don’t then a deal for Long could be a great move for all parties involved.