sport news TOM COLLOMOSSE: Lille forward Jonathan David left Canada to pursue his dream ... trends now
Aston Villa's dream of landing a first European trophy for 42 years is under serious threat from a man who may be lighting up Premier League grounds next season.
Jonathan David struggled to hone his talent as a boy in Ottawa, Canada, because of the ferocious winters and lack of indoor facilities.
He moved across the Atlantic to Belgium before his 18th birthday, leaving family and friends behind, and lost his mother, Rose, two years later. He also developed into one of the best strikers in Europe and will be a high-class opponent for Unai Emery’s defenders on Thursday.
Only Kylian Mbappe, with 24, has more than David’s 16 goals for Lille in Ligue 1 this term. Last season he hit 24 – five fewer than Mbappe – and 15 the year before that. His overall balance is 68 in 140 matches, just shy of a goal every other game.
With only one year remaining on his contract, this summer will surely be the time for David to take the next step. Unless the 24-year-old takes the unlikely decision to sign a new deal, this is Lille’s last chance to claw back some of the £26million they spent to bring David from Gent in 2020.
Jonathan David (pictured) has developed into one of Europe's best strikers and is now preparing to face Aston Villa
Unai Emery's side will have to be wary of David as he is capable of ending their European dream
Premier League clubs have been tracking David since his time in Belgium – Crystal Palace were among those interested – and will likely return to the table this summer. Though he grew up idolising Samuel Eto’o, Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry in their Barcelona days, David watches the Premier League regularly and is believed to be attracted by the idea of moving to England.
Yet Olivier Letang, the Lille president, has a fearsome reputation, however, and will not let his star man go on the cheap. A tense
