Wrexham goalkeeper Chris Maxwell could be the next of their young players to leave the Club, after Manager Dean Saunders revealed that the youngster had spent time training with Premier League Club Everton earlier this week.
The Wales U21 international spent two days at Finch Farm at the request of Everton Reserve team coach Andy Holden and Saunders confirmed that scouts from a number of Clubs were regulars at Racecourse ground matches.
“Maxi has had a couple of days there and the experience will be good for him,” said Saunders.
“Andy Holden got in touch to ask if they could take a look at him as a young goalkeeper with potential.”
“He’s one of a number of promising young players who are being watched all the time and it’s an opportunity for him to impress. But he’s back here now and it’s important that he is focused on what he is doing for us.”
Neil Taylor, also a graduate of the Club’s Youth system, departed over the summer to Championship side Swansea City for a fee of 150,000 and with the Club fighting to balance finances and maintain their Centre of Excellence, Saunders is resigned to seeing other youngsters leave the Racecourse
“We got a good fee for Neil and Premier League Clubs have taken 11 of our (CofE) players for whom we try to receive a fair deal in terms of compensation,” added Saunders.
Commenting on the Dragons’ Youth team’s success in reaching the first round of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in a number of years following their 2-1 success at Hallam on Monday evening, Saunders said:
“They are not doing as well as I want them to, but a lot of them are still first-years. But their chance comes earlier at Clubs like Wrexham as we have seen, with the likes of Declan Walker, Johnny Hunt and Kai Edwards all having featured for the first team as youth players.”
The Youth Cup result was achieved without goalkeeper Danny Ward and centre half Max Penk, both of whom were on international duty for the Wales Under-19 squad and the Racecourse boss has high hopes for the pair.
But he added: “They are both showing promise but it’s time now for them to go through the professional door or to go off the rails. It’s up to them to show the right level of desire and we are here to try and help them along the right road.”
“It’s tough for them as kids to play in the Conference because it’s such a physical league and sometimes it would be easier if they were playing in a higher league where there is less reliance on the high ball and a direct style.”
