Tuesday, 11th October, 2011
17 English Premier League clubs were in attendance when fourth-tier side Crewe Alexandra met Macclesfield Town in the Johnstone’s Paints Trophy recently – and the star attraction was young striker Max Clayton.
The Crewe player has been linked with a number of clubs, though Tottenham Hotspur are mooted as holding the most serious interest in the 17-year-old.
Crewe’s long-serving manager Dario Gradi believes that such speculation however is not at all helpful to Clayton’s development, with the player now having vastly increased expectation levels on his shoulders.
"It doesn’t do anyone any good", bemoaned Gradi, "it raises the expectation level.
"There’s a high level of expectation placed on these kids.
"For instance there’s a line in the newspaper this morning linking Max with Tottenham."
The departure of Clayton soon is, Gradi claims, unlikely, with Crewe wishing to see the youngsters they produce enjoy their fair share of first team football before being sold.
But, with an expensive academy comparable to that run by Premier League outfits, the Gresty Road side need to sell regularly, year on year, to be able to afford such a set-up.
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