Aston Villa fans still sing about having the world's number one goalkeeper. But what started as a chant for Emiliano Martinez and morphed into defiant support for young Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has become something else. They actually believe it.
Suzuki has been superb since joining from Parma in the summer. Not only has Martinez not been as missed as many anticipated, there is growing optimism that in his 24-year-old replacement, Villa have a goalkeeper who has even more facets to his game. There have been some standout displays already.
Suzuki was excellent in the win over Manchester City last time out, ending their 100-per-cent Premier League record under Enzo Maresca. The contrast with Gianluigi Donnarumma at the other end was stark. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player While the Champions League winner allowed Nicolas Jackson's decider to go through him, Suzuki pulled off a series of stops, relieved pressure with his claims and looked far more composed with the ball at his feet.
Only one of the two looked world class. Suzuki had been identified by Paris Saint-Germain as a potential long-term replacement for Donnarumma, who left last year. But mooted plans to loan him out to continue his development helped convince the player that the plans at Villa were preferable.
"He is ambitious," explained his manager Unai Emery when asked about Suzuki following that performance against City. "It is very important, his mentality. He is very ambitious himself.
He chose to be here with us when we spoke with him about our project." Suzuki is one of the reasons why fans are excited about Villa's refresh. The challenge given the changes in personnel was always going to be embracing Emery's ideas quickly given that they famously take time to grasp. But the goalkeeper has adapted swiftly.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
