SPECULATION - Nick Powell

[LoyalRoyal22]

Plays for Crewe, tipped to be the next `steven gerrard`. Scored goals this season, despite his young age. Has been attracting Premier League interest from Arsenal, Liverpool etc

Now we have some financial muscle, possibly worth the investment?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Powell

[Kingsley Junior]

Funnily enough I almost posted something similar earlier! Purely as speculation.
Seems he has had a very good season at Crewe http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17786681

[LoyalRoyal22]

thanks for the link dude

Crewe Alexandra assistant manager Neil Baker says midfielder Nick Powell has the potential to be the best ever graduate from the Alex academy.

Powell, 18, who has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs, swept the board at the club's awards dinner.

It is the first time in Crewe's history that a player has scooped every gong.

"It will take a lot of doing, but he could be the best of the lot. He's earned it. He's a special player," Baker told BBC Radio Stoke.

Powell was named both Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year by supporters groups offically recognised by the club as he picked up a total of five awards.

His measured 30-yard strike in the 4-3 win at Gillingham was also named Goal of the Season.

The awards are piling up for Powell, who also won the League One Apprentice of the Year award in March.

"He's not only a great individual, he works hard for the team as well," Baker added.

Representatives from Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have been among Premier League scouts present at Gresty Road to watch Powell this season.

He is the latest exciting talent to roll off the Crewe conveyor belt, and follows in the footsteps of Danny Murphy, Craig Hignett and Dean Ashton.

And Baker, who has helped manager Steve Davis steer the Alex from 18th to a play-off place since taking over last November, believes Powell could become the best of them all.

"He may be better than any of them, and we've had some special players over the years."

[Barry the bird boggler]

Martyn Booty was the last player we signed from Crewe.

Before that Dario Gradi told Neil Lennon that Leicester would be better for him when we enquired in 1995.

[Mike Hunt]

signed him on Fifa, all he wanted to was whine, and did not progress.

Cost me a pretty penny to.

So a big no from me.

[FiNeRaIn]

Yes please!

[Friday's Legacy]

Arsenal have been heavily linked with him all season. The club have said they want to look at bringing top young talent to the club and this is exactly where we should be looking, but there's always going to be bigger fish to compete with. What goes in our favour is we would be more inclined to play him now, rather than stick him in the reserves for a season or two before loaning him out.

[rhroyal]

Arsenal have been heavily linked with him all season. The club have said they want to look at bringing top young talent to the club and this is exactly where we should be looking, but there's always going to be bigger fish to compete with. What goes in our favour is we would be more inclined to play him now, rather than stick him in the reserves for a season or two before loaning him out.

Wenger has a good record of giving them a chance in the Premier League though, and it would be brave for us to throw him in if we're expecting a relegation battle.

If Arsenal are interested in him, I hate to say it but he'd be mad to come to us.

[roll over boltonhoven]

having had the misfortune to see a lot of league 2 this season [blame my son for being a Gashead] this lad is something very special indeed - even in that clodhopping league, his poise skill and cleverness have been amazing. He is no lightweight either and has a great football brain for an 18 year old. Brian - get him if you possibly can, he will play at a top top side without a doubt.

[Snowball]

having had the misfortune to see a lot of league 2 this season [blame my son for being a Gashead] this lad is something very special indeed - even in that clodhopping league, his poise skill and cleverness have been amazing. He is no lightweight either and has a great football brain for an 18 year old. Brian - get him if you possibly can, he will play at a top top side without a doubt.

A pleasure to see someone actually assessing skill and making a prediction
without needing to slag 28 players or add "LOL"

[winchester_royal]

having had the misfortune to see a lot of league 2 this season [blame my son for being a Gashead] this lad is something very special indeed - even in that clodhopping league, his poise skill and cleverness have been amazing. He is no lightweight either and has a great football brain for an 18 year old. Brian - get him if you possibly can, he will play at a top top side without a doubt.

A pleasure to see someone actually assessing skill and making a prediction
without needing to slag 28 players or add "LOL"

Heavy afternoon Snowball?

[loyalroyal4life]

Not sure if he would break into the team next season though?

[Hoop Blah]

having had the misfortune to see a lot of league 2 this season [blame my son for being a Gashead] this lad is something very special indeed - even in that clodhopping league, his poise skill and cleverness have been amazing. He is no lightweight either and has a great football brain for an 18 year old. Brian - get him if you possibly can, he will play at a top top side without a doubt.

A pleasure to see someone actually assessing skill and making a prediction
without needing to slag 28 players or add "LOL"

You mean instead of trawling out endless meaningless stats to try and prove a point they don't really support you mean?

I'd not seen anything of this Powell lad before seeing this thread the other day. Having read a bit about him and watched a few clips he does sound very good and would probably make for a very good long term signing, although you'd have to wonder how long we'd be able to keep him is he fulfils his early promise.

[JS28ZoD]

"Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are set for a £1.5m tussle over 18-year-old Crewe midfielder Nick Powell, who has been described as having the potential to be the best ever graduate from the famed Alex academy."

Linked to top clubs in todays papers, make of that what you will

[Stooper]

Seen the guy a few times at Crewe.

He will be BIG!

[peterroyal76]

I don't think we have a prayer of signing him. I think he would be better off signing for us than signing for the big boys as I'm not sure what match time he would get for them.

[Super Kevin Bremner!]

At his age, less is more. There's an argument that the likes of Wilshere and Rooney have missed quite a few games at an early stage in their careers because they've played too much football. Hence Wenger giving arguably his best player behind RVP (Oxlade-Chamberlain) significantly less game time.

[rhroyal]

Arsenal is the best destination for him; proven record with youngsters with the talent. Even Walcott is better than people say. Won't complain if he chooses us above them though.

[Hoop Blah]

I don't think we have a prayer of signing him. I think he would be better off signing for us than signing for the big boys as I'm not sure what match time he would get for them.

I'm not sure we'll be in a position to play such a youngster more than the big clubs. The big clubs will have more scope to carry him for a while and, like SKB says, help his development more by using him at the right times.

[winchester_royal]

Just scored an alright goal...