Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Monday May 19 2008
Time: 9:00AM
UK time is: 21:58:00
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Chelsea Fan's Opinion On Villa's Sidwell Link
With Steve Sidwell being linked in a £7million move to Villa, I thought I'd ask you Chelsea guys a few questions.
1) What did he cost Chelsea from Reading and were you surprised that sort of player was brought in?
We got him on a free, his contract was up so we took advantage of the rules to use him to bolster the squad with a view to playing him whilst the Africans were away at the African Cup of Nations!
2) He doesn't seem to have had much of a chance at Chelsea, is that because of his form or just down to competition for places?
He's only started seven times I believe. He wasn't able to push aside the established stars and even when Essien and Mikel were away in Africa, he didn't shine as much as Shaun Wright-Phillips did in a central midfield role.
3) How highly (or low) do you rate Sidwell?
It's hard to say, we've not seen enough of him, I'd say fair to middle as a guide!
4) Would you be sorry to see him go?
Not really, our midfield is overflowing with world class performers!
5) Do you think he'd be a decent addition for Villa, seems a bit on the pricey side to me I must admit?!
£7 million, yes please considering he cost us nowt! However, he's the sort of player Martin O'Neill can work with and get the best out, I think he was a little overawed at Chelsea!
With thanks to Merlin at www.chelsea.vitalfootball.co.uk
And there lies the problem with the link. I have to confess, I don't know a great deal about Sidwell, I remember us trying for him before and him being rated whilst at Reading but (and remember this is just press talk at the moment) £7m for a player who started only 7 times? A player that cost Chelsea nothing? Surely they'd be taking the St Michael and we'd be falling for it?
Would this sort of player take us to the much talked about next level?
It is up to the manager to decide obviously but if we want to break into the top four, we surely need to compete - as much as we can, I realise it isn't as simple doing it as it is saying it - for that level of player?
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Your Comments
Well he's a site better than Reo-Grande and would work well in a 3 man MF with Barry and Petrov as long as either Barry or Petrov were given the main defencive responsibility.
Villan Of The North
what a ***** story. typical arrogant cocky cockerney.. overawed at Chelski! Are you having a laf ..another 'fan' who came out of the woodwork probably from Slough or Reading somewhere like that! I hope Man Utd annihilate you in Moscow. To see the name of your football club engraved on the same trophy as Man Utd, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest would be a travesty for English Football in general as you have no class, no history and have brought your recent success.
JeffBeck-TheLeftSide
It never hurts to add a bit of gingerness to the middle of the park - the price seems £2m or £3m too much though
GCR_villlan
nice to see a crowd pleasing flair signing with this shower of *****....
crosswesleyanchapel
To be fair, I think what he is saying is reasonable, he went from Reading with good decent hard working, but hardly world beating players into a team bought with zillions and full of world stars. And although he doesn't have to justify his time spent supporting Chelsea, or need me to defend him, he took his time to answer these for me on this site and he's a Chelsea man through and through. Even likes Villa so that makes him a gent if ever I saw one!!!
The Fear
I honestly cant see why Sidwell or Ben Haim for that matter thought they were gonna get out of a move to Chelsea other than loadsa cash and a handful of starts. I am not sure this is the kind of player we need, we need players driven by success, not money. And at £7million, what a rip off!!
young_jonah
Yeah leave Merlin alone Mr Jeff Beck. He is cool. Says a lot of nice things about us. Abramovich Chelsea are like the pantomime villans everyone loves to hate.
simonbigron
oh and PS, YOUNGJONAH Sidwell went to Chelsea because he was a boyhood fan and it made his dads dreams come true. Not sure he went for the cash.
simonbigron
When we played Reading away last year Sidwell destroyed us on his own he outplayed Gareth and Stan and without him Reading have been a poor side. I always think of MON as being the Viagra of football management in that he adds 20% to a players performance on that basis S
daveldvilla
Viagra management, love it! As long as the players don't get too stiff after training I suppose.... I'll get me coat.
The Fear
Sorry about that I pressed the wrong key what I was trying to say is that he could be a useful player. I am not sure of where he would play and who he would replace assuming Barry is staying, which seems possible if only because Liverpool don't have the money to pay the right price.
daveldvilla
i think steve sidwell would be a really good addition to the squad at minimum. Forget his last year at Chelsea, he tore us apart against Reading and everyone was after him that season, if anyone can get the best out of him its MON. Agreed, we still need more quality but would certainly be a good first signing.
Its All Over FC
I'd have him, Mourinhio deemed him good enough other wise he wouldnt of signed him. Even if it was for only over the african nations tournament, the problem is Chelsea have a very good midfield a lot of players would struggle trying to get into that squad. If we did sign him he's not played much so he'd be very fresh for this forthcoming season
krisvilla
Sidwell is a very very good player. I live near Reading and have been to see them play quite a few times since they came up. It's fair to say that one of the key reasons they went down this year is because they never replaced him. As a result - Doyle, Lita and Kitson suffered with a lack of supply and creativity in the final third. His situation reminds me of Scott Parker when he moved to Chelsea. I think we should definitely buy him as he's a good creative player and a hard worker. He also fit's MON's criteria as someone with a point to prove having not been given the chance. £7 Mill is a lot though. I think 4 or even 5 should be tops.
melski
7 mil is ok to be honest but any price 7 or under, will be a good addition
krisvilla
Said this before that a good friend of mine met him whilst on holiday last year and he was set on going to Newcastle until Chelsea came in for him. Didn't even consider Villa. Not sure if it was down to monies but the Geordies do pay top wages and we don't.
Villan444
Interesting opinions, looks like he might be a gem. Also still only young and plenty to prove.
The Fear
i would be happy if he joined us. may not be a superstar signing but would provide great competition for places in central midfield. good going forward, which is what we need from a player in that position
ric112
i'll take him. and I bet he rather be at Villa than the Geordies now....
los_angeles_villan
Haven't really seen enough of him to comment as to his abilities and capabilities, but on the strength of his showing against us last season when he netted both Reading goals and stood out as the best player on the pitch, I'd certainly like to see him wearing the claret and blue.
glensider
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