Blogservations: Axel Tuanzebe – Why he's so much more than a kid from Manchester United
On the Bish podcast: Keith Wyness on Axel Tuanzebe deal and other transfer businessTV dates: Wolves and Hull games switched
Two things hit home upon introduction to
Axel Tuanzebe. One: he is a monster of a man. Two: he carries a natural maturity that belies his years.
How often does a 20-year-old walk into a club of our stature, having never been out on loan before, joining a squad of so many senior pros, at a place full of expectation, and insist on being a leader of the group? Not very, that's for sure.
I've been fortunate enough to interview some of his Manchester United colleagues in the past. Those more established, who've won multiple honours and with more hype surrounding their everyday lives.
But Axel was different. More confident. More at ease in front of the cameras. And certainly more bold in his statements, of which there were many.
The phrases 'promotion, 'Premier League' and 'going up' combined were used more than 10 times in the space of his six-minute, first interview. 'Purpose' was another commonly used word – he believes it is to get this club back to where it belongs.
As for observation number one, his physique, it's fair to say the camera tripods had to be elevated that little bit higher to the current players in the dressing room. He is a giant.
Broad, muscular and powerful, you'd be tempted to think he'd lose out slightly in the pace and mobility departments. Not a chance.
A brief glimpse of his first training session immediately put such theories to bed, while our club analysts were also in awe of his seemingly flawless all-round specimen.
Whether Tuanzebe features more in the back four or just in front is for Steve Bruce and his coaching staff to decide, but there's no denying he'll bring a welcome vigour and athleticism to the team. Our gallery of his first full training session will offer an insight into exactly that.
One would think even he couldn't possibly dislodge the immovable centre-back partnership of John Terry and James Chester. But perhaps the more important point here is that if, like JT in the back-end of 2017, injuries occur, we'll be far better placed than before to cope with such losses.
If played slightly further forward, Tuanzebe can be for Aston Villa what Nemanja Matic is to his parent club, what Fernandinho is to Manchester City. A forceful presence, but also a calming influence and a skilful operator.
His qualities as a footballer and, perhaps more importantly, as a personality, will only strengthen our bid for promotion this season. Of that I am certain.
We have a big talent on our hands.
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