Colchester United manager Danny Cowley has admitted that he expects a lot of interest in some of his key young players this summer.
The U’s struggled this season, only narrowly avoiding relegation in a tumultuous season. They would finish in 22nd position, just three points above Sutton United, having won two more games than the Londoners.
Despite the the issues though, there were some bright times along the way. The likes of Jayden Fevrier, Samson Tovide and Bradley Ihionvien all caught the eye this season.
Youngsters like those will be hoping to emulate the success of previous players including the likes of Blackburn Rovers midfielder Sammie Szmodics who himself has been close to the top of a lot of big club’s summer shopping lists.
Despite being one of the youngest in the squad at just 21 years of age, midfielder Fevrier appeared 44 times for the club this campaign. Striker Tovide took to the pitch 21 times despite being just 20 and fellow youngster Ihionvien played 29 times.
Cowley admitted that whilst he expects interest, he’s hopeful of a little more time with players with such potential (quotes from Gazette):
“I don’t see a more exciting football club in the country, if I’m honest, in terms of assets.
“There’s no surprise that we have so many scouts coming to all of our games.
“We’ve spoken about the crowds increasing in their numbers but part of those numbers in the back end of the season were scouts looking at the young ones.
“We know our phone is going to be busy in the summer but we also know that we have an owner in Robbie (Cowling) that wants to enjoy the young players first and wants to see the young players thrive, in the first team before we then look to sell them on to clubs higher up in the pyramid.
“I just see it as really exciting, for the football club.”
Writer’s View
Whilst the manager is hopeful of holding on to such prominent players, every player has their price and League Two will always be a good hunting ground for bigger clubs.
Sometimes players make the jump too soon so that will be Cowley’s argument as he nurtures these youngsters. The ex-Portsmouth gaffer will want to finish much higher up the table next season and a lot of that is down to keeping hold of your main men. That being said a footballer’s career is a relatively short one so the quicker you can get to the top the better.
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