Pundit Kevin Phillips thinks Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi will never wear the shirt again following the confirmation of his temporary switch to Everton, Football Insider report.
The Lowdown: El Ghazi under Gerrard
Villa were open to both permanent and loan offers for El Ghazi during the January window, with Gerrard believing he inherited a squad with too many wide forwards.
The 26-year-old came off the bench in Gerrard’s first two Premier League games as boss and made a further two cameos off the bench.
His last appearance came against Manchester United in the FA Cup, with a move away materialising just days later.
The Latest: Everton loan; Phillips reacts
Everton confirmed a loan move for the second half of the season for El Ghazi on Thursday. The Toffees also have an option to buy the Dutch winger, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Phillips, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider regarding El Ghazi’s Midlands future.
He believes a move to Merseyside is the beginning of the end for El Ghazi at Villa Park and doesn’t think the wide man will play in claret and blue again.
“This is the start of the end for El Ghazi at Villa.
“He has been a great servant for the club over the years but the club are now moving in a different direction.
“Players that have been there for a long time are getting edged out. That’s football. Gerrard has his own ideas of who he wants.
“I think it’s a great move for the player. He’s going to another big club. Everton are struggling though so the pressure is on him.
“It was clear that he wasn’t going to be playing every week at Villa. If he plays well at Everton he’ll be able to secure a permanent deal there in the summer.
“Will we see him in a Villa shirt again? No, we won’t.”
The Verdict: Spot on
Villa were open to a permanent exit this month, so although El Ghazi is still technically a Villa player, it doesn’t seem as if he is part of Gerrard’s long-term plans.
Everton’s option to buy fee is thought to be around €10m (£8.37m), so Villa are actually in line to make a profit on the £8.1m they paid Lille for the winger back in 2019.
On that basis, you’d expect Villa chiefs will be hoping El Ghazi stars for the Toffees over the coming months and make a transfer permanent.
In other news: Shares agent with Gerrard - Villa now after midfield ace 'like' Gascoigne.