Villa News is thrilled to welcome Bryan King, a former goalkeeper who spent over ten years as an Aston Villa scout and a total of 28 years in first-team scouting duties. Bryan spent six years on Tottenham’s recruitment staff and eight years scouting for Everton.
Bryan King believes that Lander Emery, manager Unai Emery’s son, deserves a spot at the club if he has worked hard enough.
The verdict comes after the goalkeeper was named to the bench for Aston Villa’s Under-21 match against Sutton Coldfield on Tuesday (9 January).
King compared Emery’s predicament to that of David Beckham’s son, Romeo, who presently plays for Brentford B.
King told Villa News, “I believe he is living with his family in England.” And if he is talented, why not? It makes no difference whether he is his father or not; if he is good enough, and the staff believes he is good enough, bring him in. It isn’t just the management. The manager must put it to the staff.
“It was the same last winter when I visited Portugal. I was watching the Atlantic Cup event as Romeo Beckham was playing for Brentford B. Of course, everyone said it was solely due of his father. But he worked hard, and Neil MacFarlane, the Under-21 coach, was impressed with him. Great attitude, no problems, works hard, and does what he is taught.
“It puts a lot of pressure on the player, just like Emery’s son.” Everyone will assume, ‘Oh, he’s just in the club and playing for the Under-21s because his father is the manager.’
“Well, that should not apply, and I don’t believe it does. I believe he is treated like any other player. Emery is not the only one who said, ‘Okay, let’s bring him in.
“Your dad is the manager, so there’s no luck involved. You can have all the luck in the world, but if you lack the skill, you will not succeed. However, by the sounds of it, the player appears to have settled down and worked hard.
