Donyell Malen, the Netherlands international forward, is poised to make a significant impact at Aston Villa. After an illustrious journey with Borussia Dortmund, where he netted 39 goals, Malen's move to the Premier League marks a new chapter in his career. Despite having over 300 career appearances, his journey with Aston Villa has been temporarily halted due to squad registration limitations. Nevertheless, Malen remains optimistic about his future at the club, driven by its ambitions and the opportunity to work under the guidance of Unai Emery.
Malen's football journey began at a young age, with his talent evident since he was 16 when he first trained with Aston Villa's first team. His remarkable goal-scoring prowess was showcased during his final season with PSV Eindhoven, scoring 27 goals in all competitions. His versatility on the field has seen him often come off the bench and operate in wider areas, a testament to his adaptable playing style.
"I have played all the positions by now at this stage, so for me it does not really matter. I just want to be close to the goal." – Donyell Malen
During his tenure at Borussia Dortmund, Malen consistently delivered impressive performances. He ranked among the top 10 players in the Bundesliga for goals per 90 minutes. However, his move to Aston Villa was strategically planned following Jhon Duran's departure to Saudi Arabia. Malen's decision was influenced by the club’s ambitious goals and the chance to collaborate with Emery, a manager known for nurturing talent.
"He is very detailed and has ideas to really help me. He cares a lot. He is very supportive." – Donyell Malen
Malen's aspirations with Aston Villa are clear. He aims to develop his skills further and showcase his abilities in the Premier League, a league renowned for its competitiveness.
"I think I am just looking forward to being here, improving and playing in the Premier League and showing myself here. That is a big goal for me. I just want to play and enjoy my football. What I have to do with that is score goals and be important for the team." – Donyell Malen
Despite not being registered yet, Malen remains undeterred. His previous experiences have taught him valuable lessons, which he plans to leverage at Villa. Watching Aston Villa progress in the Champions League against Celtic left a lasting impression on him, further solidifying his desire to contribute meaningfully to the team.
"Looking back, I learned a lot in those two-and-a-half years there. But I made my steps in a different way. I played a lot of football." – Donyell Malen
The forward acknowledges that although his journey has had its challenges, including not being entirely ready at certain points, each experience has contributed to his growth.
"Maybe I was not really 100 per cent ready," – Donyell Malen
He expresses eagerness to take on new challenges and improve under Emery’s mentorship, believing that the manager’s support and detailed approach can elevate his game.
"It is OK if it is about football. It is improving me." – Donyell Malen
Malen sees his time at Aston Villa as an opportunity to fulfill his childhood dreams of playing in major games and winning accolades.
"That is just something that has been in me since I was very young. I have done a lot to be here. It was never anything that I did not want to do. I just woke up and I feel like this is what it is meant to be. I want to win prizes, to play big games." – Donyell Malen
Leave a Reply