Blackpool could be set to benefit from having former Liverpool Under 23 boss Neil Critchley at the helm as they’re being linked with a swoop for Adam Lewis.
The Blackpool Gazette, citing The Sun, have claimed the exciting 20-year-old full-back could be loaned out next season, with Critchley in pole position to acquire his services due to his close relationship with the Reds. The Under 23 coach, who took charge of their FA Cup victory against Shrewsbury, is now in the Blackpool hot seat after the dismissal of Simon Grayson.
It was Critchley who handed Lewis his debut in the game, albeit a fixture that few senior professionals took part in, and he recently signed a long-term deal at Anfield after impressing under his former mentor for the Under 23 side. He’s represented England from Under 16 to Under 20 level and it is now felt a spell in the senior game could be to his advantage.
The Seasiders currently have Marc Bola on loan and James Husband as their left-backs, but the uncertainty over the future may mean any potential plans include loan players, rather than attempts to sign the likes of Bola.
Only a couple of weeks ago, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher suggested the Reds could promote Lewis to the first team squad, but a spell in senior football elsewhere could be the defining factor in his development.
Our View
Will the ‘new normal’ in football mean Premier League giants sustain the lower leagues by loaning players out, as well as the TV money? Nobody wants to see a B team league, so link-ups like this might be more common.
Many lower league managers have connections with bigger clubs; Critchley is by no means the only manager who could take advantage of Liverpool loanees. However, having worked with lewis before, hie is more likely to reap the rewards of a potential loan. However, transfer talk at this stage of the season is perhaps only a secondary distraction from the obvious issues facing clubs.
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