Bought under the Marcelo Bielsa era, Anwar El Ghazi never really managed to make a name for himself at Lille, to the extent where Christophe Galtier, the Argentinian manager’s successor, didn’t have him in his plans for the upcoming season.
Loaned out to Aston Villa for the 2018-19 campaign with a clause allowing Steve Bruce’s side to make the move permanent if they so wish, the Dutchman will now get to discover English football in the Championship.
However, as well as allowing El Ghazi to play regular football with the Villains, the winger’s departure from Lille served another purpose for the Ligue 1 club: registering their new players.
L’Equipe explain on Thursday that his loan to Aston Villa should allow the French side to ratify the contracts of one, and perhaps even two, of their new signings, namely Loic Remy, Jeremy Pied and Rafael Leao.
All arriving this summer, none of the trio have played a single minute for Lille despite the new season already being two games in, and there’s hope at least one of them will be able to feature on Sunday against Guingamp.
It’s a win-win for everyone one, really, except maybe for the player who doesn’t get registered.
