Unai Emery's key player at Aston Villa now rated higher than Frenkie de Jong

Youri Tielemans has experienced a career resurgence under the guidance of manager Unai Emery. Once facing the grim reality of relegation with Leicester City, the Belgian international now shines on the Champions League stage, with some experts even rating him above Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong.

Tielemans joined Aston Villa on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, bringing his wealth of Premier League experience and international pedigree to the club. Despite his impressive credentials, the midfielder initially found himself on the sidelines, starting only four of Villa's first 16 Premier League games before being sidelined by a groin injury.

During this challenging period, Tielemans expressed his frustration to Belgian media during an international break, stating,

"The situation is not pleasant. I told the manager that I came to Villa to play."

This period of uncertainty was met with a strategic approach from manager Unai Emery. Emery worked closely with Tielemans to adapt his positioning and role within the squad. Emery explained,

"I spoke with him a lot about his positioning on the pitch and his role in the squad. His adaptation is progressively getting better."

Seizing opportunities and rising to the challenge

An injury to teammate Boubacar Kamara in February opened the door for Tielemans to demonstrate his skills on the pitch. He started nine of ten games between February and April, forming a formidable partnership with Douglas Luiz in Villa's midfield. This opportunity allowed Tielemans to showcase his talent and contribute significantly to Aston Villa's success.

His perseverance and dedication paid off as Aston Villa secured a top-four finish in the 2023-24 season, earning a coveted spot in the Champions League. Tielemans played a crucial role in this achievement, even scoring an important goal against Liverpool towards the end of the campaign. Reflecting on this milestone, Tielemans shared,

"The manager was selling me this idea of Champions League and I really bought into it. The fact that we got the Champions League after my first year here is earlier than expected."

Recognition and impact

Now firmly established as a key figure in Aston Villa's midfield, Tielemans has garnered praise for his performances in both domestic and European competitions. His influential role in Villa's recent Champions League victory over Bayern Munich highlighted his importance to the team. Belgian football expert Filip Joos expressed high regard for Tielemans, stating,

"I rate him higher than Frenkie de Jong at FC Barcelona. I don't understand why the European top hasn't pushed for Youri Tielemans yet."

Tielemans' impressive club form has also translated into increased responsibility with the Belgian national team, where he recently captained his country in a Nations League match against Italy. He credits Emery for his personal growth and development as a player. "He improves you as a player. I think his tactical analysis of the game is just first-class," Tielemans stated.