Dean Smith has opened up about the decision to let James Chester join Stoke City on loan from Aston Villa, as quoted by The Birmingham Mail.
What did he say?
Chester hasn’t had much game time this season, failing to make a single Premier League appearance, which has seen him limited to two cup games.
This was largely down to injury, but it is telling that he was included on the bench for five consecutive league games without getting any time on the pitch.
The hope will be that he gets far more regular involvements now that he has made the move to Stoke, who currently sit 21st in the Championship table.
Smith has spoken about the decision to let him leave: “James Chester [being allowed to go] was totally James Chester’s decision, we’ve got a great respect for each other.
“I’ve always said to him if someone comes in for him I’d leave the decision down to him after what he’s given to me and Aston Villa Football Club.
“I think it was a very tough decision for him but he decided to go and get games I obviously couldn’t guarantee him.”
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Well-earned
The fact that Smith has allowed Chester to make this decision shows how deeply respected the 31-year-old is, and he is fully deserving of that.
This is especially clear because he was potentially their most trusted backup option for the defence, as signified by the fact that he was on the bench in five consecutive matches towards the end of his stay.
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During last season’s promotion campaign, he put his body at great risk by playing through injury until a centre-back was brought in during the January transfer window, which is surely the biggest thing a player can do for their club.
That is not the only contribution the Wales international has made for the club though, as he has amassed a total of 126 appearances for Villa.
Seeing Chester leave was hard to take for many fans, but he has earned the right to make that decision.
Meanwhile, a shocking statistic about Villa’s season was revealed against Bournemouth.