Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has said that he thinks Tiago Ilori could become a top-class central midfielder for the club.
The Portuguese youngster made a loan switch to the Midlands on the final day of the summer transfer window, and Sherwood has praised the player’s versatility ahead of his potential debut against Leicester City on Saturday.
Despite having played the majority of his senior games at centre-back or full-back, Villa’s gaffer says he doesn’t see the former Sporting man in one specific role, and could even be set to unleash him in midfield.
“Tiago is a player I have known since he’s been at the Academy at Sporting Lisbon,” Sherwood told AVTV. “He’s a player I’ve known for a very long time.
“If he becomes what I think he can be, he’s a good buy at the money we’re talking. He’s very composed on the ball and versatile.
He can play right-back, centre-back and I see him playing holding midfield as well.
Sherwood drew comparisons with current Anfield first-teamer Emre Can, who has also played in a variety of positions since arriving on Merseyside.
The former Tottenham Hotspur boss does not see chopping and changing of positions as a disadvantage to the player’s development, however.
“I see him like Emre Can, he’s been successful playing in every position,” he added.
“A lot of people say that if you don’t nail down one position, it’s detrimental to your career. I don’t believe that. I believe it gives you the chance to play more minutes.
“I think he could be an exceptional player. He’s not there yet, but he’s in the right place.”
Ilori, having been signed by Brendan Rodgers in 2013, has never made a senior appearance for Liverpool, and had been sent on loan to Granada and Bordeaux before joining Villa.
