Aaron Wan-Bissaka has established himself as one of the best young stars in the Premier League since his breakthrough into the Crystal Palace team last season.
It was felt his form had been so good he could usurp the out-of-form Kieran Trippier and land himself a spot in England’s senior squad, instead he has joined up with Under-21s for a second time and will be looking to further his cause against Poland in a friendly on Thursday.
4
Aaron Wan-Bissaka impressed in Crystal Palace’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Watford
Arsenal’s chief scout, Brian McDermott, has been keeping close tabs on the progress of the defender, who has missed just three games so far this season, including a one-match suspension for a red card against Liverpool early in the season.
And it’s no surprise with many others Premier League clubs at least keen on adding him to their squads but why is he so highly-rated?
talkSPORT.com takes a look at the Palace young sensation in more depth…
Aaron Wan-Bissaka factfile
Name: Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Born: November 26, 1997 – Croydon, London
International: No senior caps to date
Career highlight: Being called up to the England U21 squad for the first time in September 2018, playing the full 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw with the Netherlands on his debut
Career so far
The Croydon-born defender has only featured for his boyhood club to date, making a total of 34 appearances in the Premier League so far.
Having been with the club for a decade, the 21-year-old is now a firm fixture in the first-team just a year after making his debut.
An injury crisis saw him thrown in at the deep end against Tottenham in February 2018 with a late Harry Kane goal the only thing to separate the two sides.
It was an impressive start and in the following month he claimed the club’s Player of the Month award, so good were his contributions.
4
The 21-year-old is a strong tackler with bags of pace to boot
Converted to a right-back
Once a winger, former Eagles boss Frank De Boer turned to Wan-Bissaka in pre-season back in 2017 as he attempted to implement a system using wing-backs.
Here, the youngster was able to show off his already evident attacking ability but also discover his effectiveness in defensive situations.
De Boer swift exit and the arrival of Roy Hodgson, who immediately returned to a back-four saw Wan-Bissaka’s route into the first-team stifled but he able to work with the club’s Under-23 boss Richard Shaw, a former defender for the Eagles.
Here his tackling was honed as the youngster, with the bit between his teeth, sought to improve, while his attacking prowess meant going forward he would always be able to take his man with a good chance of success.
His willingness in double sessions with Shaw and his assistant Dave Reddington began to show and the results are a credit to his efforts and their eye for talent.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
How has he performed this season?
In a word – outstanding. You’d be hard pressed to find many games where Wan-Bissaka has under performed.
If he continues in the vein he is currently going in then it would be no surprise if one of the big boys come calling sooner rather than later.
While his defensive ability continues to improve as he averages four successful tackles per game and 2.2 successful interceptions.
Meanwhile, going forward he gets 1.7 successful dribbles per game, although he still needs to improve some areas of his game, including his decision making and where he chooses to play some passes.
4
Wan-Bissaka, right, had Wilfried Zaha’s number in training ahead of his first-team introduction
Who are interested in him?
Arsenal are reportedly desperate to land the 21-year-old, so much so they are prepared to offer two of their fringe players in a bid to land the £40m rated star, according to The Sun.
His great pace and defensive prowess means he would be the perfect signing for an attacking and free-flowing outfit like the Gunners.
It is a matter of when, not if, Wan-Bissaka does move on to bigger and better things. The world is well and truly his oyster.
Manchester City have previously been credited with interest, while it’s expected Tottenham Hotspur will be keen as they mull over their right-back options.
What are people saying?
Richard Shaw (Crystal Palace Under-23 manager): “How far can he go? He can go a long, long way. As long as he keeps the traits he’s shown in the last year; that work ethic, stay focused, listen to the manager and want to learn the position every single day and ask questions like he’s been doing. I’m sure he will.”
4
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson
Roy Hodgson (Crystal Palace manager): â€Å“What I like about him is that he continues to work hard at his game, and the professionalism he shows.
â€Å“And the fact he has kept his feet so firmly on the ground when a lot of good things are being written or said about him, and there is the usual speculation when you have a good player, at a club at our level in the table.
â€Å“But for Aaron, it doesn’t seem to have bothered him with the speculation. He is happy to be with us and he has signed a long-term contract.
â€Å“He works hard at his game to make certain he keeps up that level of consistency and his work rate, and work ethic, with the necessary humility to continue to learn and grow, these are wonderful assets that he has that will make him in to a better and better player.â€
The young defender, who only made his professional debut late February, has been awarded after putting in impressive showings in the recent month Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been named Crystal Palace
Transfer news live: Final offer for Man United star, Arsenal
Robert Pires tells Arsenal to move for Crystal Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer. Unai Emery's side have recently been linked with a move for Wan-Bissaka, who has been in outstanding
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Crystal Palace wonderkid continues to make headlines. The 21 year old has established himself as one of the best young stars in the Premier League since his breakthrough into
How does Man United target Aaron Wan-Bissaka compare to their
Aaron Wan-Bissaka speaks out. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has said that he will not be leaving Selhurst Park this summer. The Crystal Palace right-back has been linked with moves to numerous clubs around the Premier League, with Manchester United often the most prominent of those sides, but he has said that he will still be a Palace player come September.
Robert Pires: 'Arsenal must sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka' - Sports Mole
Manchester United appear poised to start the bidding for Crystal Palace's Aaron Wan-Bissaka as they search for a new right back. Wan-Bissaka, 21, has enjoyed a superb breakthrough campaign at
Crystal Palace demand £60m from Man United for Aaron Wan
Crystal Palace have placed a remarkable £60million price tag on young defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka in an attempt to deter Manchester United from trying to sign him this summer.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka should stay at Crystal Palace amid
Wonderkids: How Man United targets Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Youri Tielemans impressed again van Dijk and Crystal Palace star Aaron Wan-Bissaka claim top Premier League awards for Eden Hazard
Exclusive: Aaron Wan-Bissaka talks England ambitions and
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Crystal Palace wonderkid continues to make headlines with Arsenal linked Wan-Bissaka, 21, has been outstanding for Roy Hodgson's Eagles this season SCOUT REPORT
Aaron Wan Bissaka Best Slide Tackles 18/19 - YouTube
Exclusive: Aaron Wan-Bissaka talks England ambitions and special advice from Andros Townsend. football.london spoke to the Crystal Palace defender about talk of a senior England call-up
Aaron Wan-Bissaka named Crystal Palace Player of - goal.com
It was only a few months ago Aaron Wan-Bissaka made his Premier League debut for Crystal Palace. The 20-year-old has been playing for Palace like he has been in the side for years. He has shown maturity beyond years. The Palace wonderkid is no longer a highly-rated talent - he is now one of the best young players in the Premier League.
Wonderkids: Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Youri Tielemans show why
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Crystal Palace wonderkid continues to make
