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Soccer News of Saturday, 8 August 2015

Source: allsports.com.gh

Jordan Ayew is an all-round talent - French expert tells Aston Villa

Jordan Ayew Jordan Ayew

Andrew Gibney runs the rule over Aston Villa's four French-based signings this summer (Jordan Amavi, Gueye, Ayew and Jordan Veretoutto) the English Premier League club's official website.

Allsports.com.gh lowers it down to his take on Ghana striker, Jordan Ayew, who signed from Lorient for a fee believed to be in the region of 13 million Euros.

"The younger of the two Ayew brothers is a bit of a livewire. He is a hard player to pigeon-hole into a type," Gibney began when asked about Jordan's strengths and what the Ghanaian brings to Villa Park.

"He is tall, strong and good in the air - but he is not a target man. He is fast and good with the ball at his feet - but he is not going to play on the wing," Gibney continued.

"Ayew is an all-round talent. He definitely has all the raw attributes you would want from a modern-day forward. But he is also very unconventional in his methods," he added.

Q: They all seem to be a good age and should improve with time?

A: "Ayew probably has the most to prove. All his career, he has been called a player with potential. He showed some great signs at Lorient last season but now it's about sustaining it."

Q: If you were to pick similar players in the Premier League past or present, who would you compare the four lads to?

"Ayew is harder to nail down. There are elements of Gabby Agbonlahor in him - he can run the channels and look to set up teammates. However, he is much more of a classic centre-forward.

"There are not many players like him. He can finish from long distance, but he will be a fox in the box too."

Q: Which do you think are suited to becoming fan favourites?

"If Ayew continues on where he left off and finds consistency in his career, he could be a huge favourite."

Q: Who could be the surprise package?

"It has to be Ayew.

"He surprised everyone by scoring 12 goals for Lorient last season. This shows the promise that once suggested he was the more naturally talented of the two Ayew brothers, but it is up to Jordan to take this opportunity and show that it's not just a one-off.

Andrew Gibney is a freelance journalist specialising in French football - and is based in Lille. He is the creator of French Football Weekly and writes for several publications about Ligue 1 such as FourFourTwo, ESPN and ITV.