Cameron Archer is barely playing for Aston Villa and Steven Gerrard has reacted angrily to question about the former Preston North End favourite.
Sometimes, Premier League loan deals don’t work out; we’re thinking Andy Carroll, Josh King and Stephy Mavididi here.
Sometimes though, you fall in love with loan players and it’s hard to see them move on.
Cameron Archer falls into that category, joining the likes of Jordan Pickford and Sam Johnstone there.
Archer arrived at Deepdale back in January of this year as Ryan Lowe utilised his friendship with Steven Gerrard to strike a deal for the Villa striker.
Archer excelled with North End, bagging seven goals in 20 outings – including the winner against bitter rivals Blackpool.
Sadly, Archer returned to Aston Villa over the summer and it became clear that a return to Preston just wasn’t on the cards.
Villa even rejected an approach for Archer according to the Lancashire Evening Post as they chose to keep the talented young striker.
North End fans are already frustrated with that decision given that Lowe’s men have scored just three goals in 11 games this season.
The anger has only risen given that Archer has played just 10 minutes of Premier League action this term.
Even in a Carabao Cup game against Bolton Wanderers, Archer was only a substitute and played just eight minutes.
The 20-year-old’s lack of action has been baffling even with factoring in a recent injury that meant he only trained once this week.
Villa boss Gerrard is feeling the pressure already and seemed to boil over when asked about Archer.
Gerrard seemingly snapped at one Birmingham Mail journalist asking about Archer, questioning whether he’s a friend of the Archer family because he asks so many questions about the striker.
“He’s only done one full session. Is he chomping at the bit? 100 per cent,” said Gerrard. “You’re a fan of Cameron, you, aren’t ya? Or are you a mate of the family? Something’s going on because you’ve asked me 25 questions this year and I reckon 19 have been on Cam Archer. You’re a fan aren’t ya?”
It’s a strange response from Gerrard, who should expect questions about Archer given his lack of playing time this season.
It’s hard not to feel that Archer should be in a Preston shirt and playing every week, and whilst that’s a selfish, North End-centric viewpoint, he certainly shouldn’t be away in the shadows at Villa as he has been this season.