It's only a rumour but it's in the Swedish paper Aftonbladet this morning and they're not known for making up sport stories.

Mellberg's agent Anders Wallensten has said "no comment" when asked about it, which usually means there is something in it, but is it because he wants to leave or there is no contract for him?

If we were to believe everything we read then it's not down to Mellberg. Back in January it was very much he wanted to stay; "I would like to stay at Villa if they offer me a new contract. Definitely. I am not looking to leave. There is no reason to say 'no' if there is a new contract offer."

Also, in in January the club wanted new contracts for Sorensen, Smiler and Mellberg; "Once we get the transfer deadline out of the way, sitting down with these people is something I'll be looking at between now and May - Olof included to discuss their futures."

Well, Smiler has gone, Sorensen is next so the future for Mellberg probably isn't as claret and blue as he would have liked or had hoped. Still, Juventus are a pretty nice team to go play for.

He's been a good servant and if he goes I'm sure he'll get a good send off. But who do we believe?

Comments (27)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Doc said:

if he keeps playing like he did at the Reebok, it may be time for him to head off somewhere else

October 30, 2007

Dizzy Mugs said:

If he is going to leave, at least he's off to a nice big club. Would rather he stayed at Villa though, could be useful at tutoring Davies and Cahill.

October 30, 2007

Damian said:

i didn't really get my opinion across above but i'd like him to stay and play centre back with laursen - and i'm bascing that on the last few games knight is have a mare and mellberg and laursen play well together

October 30, 2007 | url

Luke said:

I think Mellberg is past his best and is losing that bit of pace we need to compete. He doesn't tackle enough and he let Bolton run with the ball too much on Sunday. Mellberg was the rock a few seasons ago but I think age is beginning to get the better of him unfortunately.

October 30, 2007

kev lacey said:

mellberg leaving and two donkeys staying "prat" sorry zat and davies who would you let leave ?

October 30, 2007 | url

Tonebone said:

I have heard we are after Anthony Garnder as a replacement (its through a friend that works at Villa - i know doubtful but u never know). This was rumoured over the summer wasnt it? It wouldnt surprise me us signing him - typical MON signing!! Btw was no one a little concerned by our attitude towards the end of the Bolton game. We were time wasting and accepting a draw - MON was even seen saying slow it down. Surely we should be going all out for the 3 points?

October 30, 2007

I HATE BLUES said:

If he does go to juve i'd like to see sm sort of cash /player swap .

October 30, 2007

peebles said:

Mellberg is a central defender - when he plays there he is superb - no doubt about it. Especially with Laursen. He is no right back and isn't, therefore, doing himself justice playing there but he is taking one for the team - a great quality - mellberg is a villa man - he stayed through the tough times, he should be here til the end of his career

October 30, 2007

villa 82 said:

I totaly agree with Damian and Peebles he is a centre back and he is taking one for the team.He deserves a contract till the end of his career for his loyalty.Also how many games has he missed since becoming a villan?

October 30, 2007

samvilla1 said:

Mellberg is a villa legend !!!

October 30, 2007

pazzler said:

let him go, but only if we get a swap deal for one of their defenders.

October 30, 2007

ryanvilla3 said:

Mellberg is our best centre back should be offered a new deal. Hes never whinged or moaned about a thing and fair do's to the guy he aint a right back thats not his problem he hasnt moaned about it and just tried his best. More gutsy gritty players with his attitude we need.

October 30, 2007

PaulE said:

Mellberg as right-back: below average for the premiership. Mellberg as centre-back: well above average. If MON plans to use him as a centre-back, then I'd like to see him stay as I think that he and Laursen are the best pairing.

October 30, 2007

andy5759 said:

It's all very well talking about a player exchange, but most Italians seem to prefer to stay in Italy. That leaves someone called Trezeguet, he's French I think, also scores quite a few. And Nedved, who's having a 'mare so far this season. No thanks - keep 'em, give us the money (no funny Lira) and we'lll look elsewhere. Off topic; MON now touted around as Staunton's replacement as well as 2ndChoiceSteve's, any firm news, anyone?

October 30, 2007

satch said:

he is an ace player, don't do a Rigdewell!

October 30, 2007

Northern Villan said:

Why would there be a swap deal? he is out of contract come July and is allowed to speak to clubs come new year! Juve won't pay cash for him in the January transfer window, when they can get him for free at the end of the season!

October 30, 2007

Dizzy Mugs said:

New contracts for Tommy, Mellberg and Bouma please! I'm not bothered whether Sorenson isn't getting many games. We're one of very few clubs who can say they have 3 goalkeepers all worthy of starting positions at most Premiership clubs let's keep it that way.

October 30, 2007

the_flabster said:

Well i love Mellberg and he has been one of my favourites for years, it would be sad to see him go but if we do bring in a RB in January and MON continues to pick Knight & Laursen (i hope not) then he must leave. He hasnt got years to go before he retires and he wants to be playing week in week out at the top level for the time he has left. I think when we get a RB Mellberg & Laursen should go to the middle and Knight be left on the bench. If he does go though i wont be mad at him, not many players would turn down Juve.

October 30, 2007

stevievillaa said:

i wouldnt read much into that, mellberg is a good cenral defender but i dont think hes juve material..he isnt good enough 2 play 4 them sorry. think villa is about as good a team he'll play 4..but if juve did come knockin than he would b stupid 2 turn em down

October 30, 2007

Villa_Rules said:

If he dose decide to go then i dont think he should be slagged off he has been a great player for villa and has waited and waited and waited for europen football.. Nobody can blame a player for wanting to go to another club so they can play in europe And if he dose go then maybe just maybe davies will be our new mellberg Or should we get a new one ?

October 31, 2007

greg said:

Hi everyone, i can remember when we signed mellberg he had supposedly turned down a host of clubs to join us and was meant to be the best young thing, but i dont think he ever achieved the hype, even at centre back we cant sayy he was commanding, he easily turned not that quick and weak on teh ball. he lacks strength and ive seen him bullied once too many on teh pitch. It look sgood having the swedish centre back in our line up but althjough i think he as a bit of heart for villa hes being by and large a flop like most of our signings since savo milosevic. id love us to break teh hoodoo and sign big game players who produce on the pitch. watching against bolton brought all the old insecurities back and i had really thought we were getting much better. teams will cop on to us that were a threat down the wings we need more creative players. but the slopiness at the back was a joke again like against utd. i thought davies was meant to be a class act and he cant even get in ahead of knight. it breaks my heart seeing the likes of blackburn pompey west ham newcastle spurs ahead of us. we should at least be the biggest club outside the top four

October 31, 2007

ruddy said:

there can't be no swap deal cause his contract runs out end of season which is a shame and a question... IS IT ME OR IS EVERYONE BEING LINKED WITH OUR PLAYERS!!!!???

October 31, 2007

Chrisodon said:

Our players being linked with other clubs is good it boosts our standing in the game other clubs recognising our talent. About mellberg i've come to the fact he was going when Barry became captain. Since then he's been pushed too RB and despite numerous times being told about contract talk nothing has happened same as tommy and moore. Now i'm a big fan of MON but letting mellberg go for nothing is bad business and it's almost as if MON's trying to convince us he's not up too standard by shipping him too RB and letting us all pick holes in his game. Fair enough he's playing bad but he's out of position and has been lied too constantly by the club about contract talks it'll all be taking effect on him and his performances. But Good luck to the guy i hope he can leave on a high note cause not many players of his calibre would have stayed when offered a way out when Villa were going through bad patches.

October 31, 2007

brett said:

not necessarily a great move for the club but you could never blame him if he left, he's gone a bit stale and the move would reinvigorate him, and if it wasnt juve it would be the MLS anyway unfortunately none of davies/knight/cahill can really replace him

October 31, 2007

gabby babby said:

theres only one olof mellberg one olof mellberg. i would say keep him, but he is a bit clumsy, i would then buy a solid experienced right or centre back for the young guns to latch onto..... p.s i cant wait for match against scums, coutdown and only 11 days to go. i say villa win 2-1, where blues score 1st then gabby and barry score bothnin 2nd half. trust me.

October 31, 2007

nhuggy said:

It's gonna be difficult for MON as he's bought 2 repalcement centre backs and as things stand so far, they are both crap. Suggestion for a forum heading - "Who is MON's best signing"? There have been plenty of bad ones so far. He's begining to remind me of John Gregory (4m for Steve Watson), but at least Gregory made some good signings as well.

November 01, 2007

Chrisodon said:

MON's Best signing was Young and i don't think anyone can question that

November 01, 2007

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

Add Comment