Aston Villa: Scouting Swiss Striker Haris Seferovic
By Josh Tonti
Multiple reports indicate Aston Villa scouts are in Germany keeping a close eye on Switzerland international, Haris Seferovic.
Villa executives are keen to add experienced strikers to next year’s squad. With Ross McCormack’s future uncertain, Scott Hogan’s health woes, and the lure of Premier League football for Jonathan Kodjia; Aston Villa seek the need to add beyond Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Keinan Davis.
Enter Haris Seferovic, 25.
Seferovic currently leads the line for Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt. The Eagles, who solidly reside in 8th place, mainly rely on Seferovic to come off the bench. In all competitions Seferovic has three goals from ten starts and eleven substitute appearances. Handy enough for a 6.22 WhoScored aggregate.
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Seferovic’s true calling card is the Switzerland team, however. In his career, the physical striker posts 38 appearances with 8 goals to his name. Seferovic was included in Ottmar Hitzfeld’s 2014 World Cup squad, where he scored the winner against Ecuador in the group stages. Moreover, Seferovic appeared in all four Switzerland matches at Euro 2016.
Despite his sub-par goal record, Seferovic is favored for club and country because of his acute technical qualities and link-up ability.
At six feet, one inch tall, the Swiss forward uses his physicality to hold the ball up for extended periods. Furthermore, he is a weapon on set pieces.
Seferovic’s entire profile just screams, “Emile Heskey!” A striker, not counted on for a ton of goals, but offers unique qualities missing with other forwards in the squad.
Adding Seferovic to the squad adds that missing Rudy Gestede link for Aston Villa. Someone who can burn ten minutes defending in a 1-0 lead, or enter the match in the dying minutes of a 2-1 deficit.
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His contract with Eintracht Frankfurt expires this summer – meaning he could come on a free. However, Frankfurt complicate matters by holding a one year extension option.
No club can possess enough forward options. Seferovic could offer the claret and blues sneaky value if he is not being asked to be the number one striker at Aston Villa Football Club.