Bentley circus rolling into Villa Park?

By: Chris | March 9th, 2009

They called him the next David Beckham, which only raised two problems: he’s not, and he listened.

From a promising youngster with silly hair, David Bentley has gradually grown into one of the most lamented wastes of talent in English football. The Arsenal youngster (described by a Gooner mate of mine as a “silly chav who thought he was better than Pires and Bergkamp but never did anything to justify his arrogance”) has shot himself in the foot so many times that he can play it like a recorder.

Having become quite a magnificent flop since his big-money “ambitious” move from Blackburn Rovers to Tottenham Hotspur, Bentley’s being linked with a transfer to Aston Villa. Again. But is he the man for the job? And is he worthy?

The New David Beckham?

The comparisons with Goldenballs came thick and fast while Bentley was at Blackburn. There, he actually began to show his worth. Bentley is a little like Beckham in a few ways. Both have talented right feet, and Bentley is lethal from dead balls when he’s on his game. One could argue that Beckham is a little harder working and Bentley a tad quicker, but the similarities are there for all to see.

Once upon a time, the thought of Bentley replacing Beckham on England’s right flank when Beckham hangs up his boots was pretty exciting.

His own worst enemy

Sadly, Bentley has proven that he is not capable of achieving such status. It’s not down to the boy’s lack of talent, but his attitude and his apparent laziness. It’s quite depressing, really. When you hear Bentley talking, he seems like a down-to-earth, clever lad (with supreme confidence, admittedly). But that just doesn’t translate to his football career. Professionally, he is massively arrogant and lacks focus, humility and willingness to work. Perhaps that will rule him out of a Villa move.

Bentley’s considerable ability was first overshadowed and then made obsolete by his own ego.

Missing piece of the puzzle?

Bentley doesn’t strike me as a Villa prospect, but there are arguments that have been made in favour. Firstly, Martin O’Neill has a reputation for taking talented, wayward players on and getting the best out of them. Bentley certainly falls into that category.

It’s also very obvious that we lack a little creative spark in midfield. Bentley certainly has that capability, and when he’s on his game he is able to pick a killer pass or telling cross from almost nothing. But it’s been a while since he’s done that.

Too good for Villa?

Well, I think the main issue is where would we play him? I’d have James Milner on the right before Bentley every day of the week, but if Bentley wants to swap benches that’s his look-out.

But the reason I don’t want David Bentley at Aston Villa is that he thinks he’s too good for us – and he ain’t. It’s now generally accepted that we were in for Bentley last summer and it seems he wasn’t interested. And he ended up at (snigger) SPURS! Now, whether that was down to “ambition” or money, he’s snubbed us once.

In my view, that’s a missed chance Bentley should never be able to rectify. You don’t mess with Villa.