The agent of Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe claims that the appearance of Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa pressured his client to reduce short his mortgage spell with the Birmingham club.
Tuanzebe was recalled by means of United at the start of January and has already secured every other short-term pass. The defender made 5 Premier League starts offevolved for Aston Villa earlier than November, but misplaced his location as Esri Konza and Tyrone Mings set up a strong partnership.
The 24-12 months-vintage will line up for Napoli for the rest of the season on mortgage and hopes to locate more playing time than beneath the ex-Liverpool legend.
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Manchester United and Liverpool is considered one of the biggest rivalries in the Premier League, and therefore the world. Gerrard, a former Liverpool player in which he made 504 appearances and have become a membership legend, performed in that contention generally.
According to Tuanzebe's agent – who also takes place to be his brother – Gerrard gave in to that allegiance, causing Tuanzebe to fall out of fashion with the brand new Aston Villa boss.
"Axel may be very excited to start a brand new chapter in his soccer career, playing overseas and for a club with a lot history at the back of it and enthusiasts who worship soccer," Dimitri Tuanzebe informed ESPN. "Axel didn't decide to transport till it have become very clean that he isn't always the manager's first-choice centre-lower back and the Napoli provide changed into very tempting."
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"I have plenty of mixed emotions with regards to Axel's time at Villa. He is cherished by means of the fans as he contributed rather to the membership's success inside the Championship, wherein he changed into one of the key gamers that helped Villa go back to the Premier League. However, following the advent of Steven Gerrard at Villa Park, it felt as if the competition among Manchester United and Liverpool got here to life."
"For the avoidance of doubts, Axel turned into very open to staying at Villa, he loves the enthusiasts, being in Birmingham, but he additionally has a profession that he can best build and reach his full capability in an surroundings wherein opportunities to play are truthful."