Which 2024-25 Crewe Alex 2nd Year Scholars Will Get Deals This Summer?

We're back for another round of (hopefully educated) guesses as to which of the 2nd year scholars from the Crewe Alex academy will be handed professional deals this season. This is my 4th year attempting this topic and I feel previous go's have been not too far off. So we'll try again and see how I do.

Now, for the record, this isn't what I would do. If I say I think a player will be released or signed, it's simply me thinking what the management structure at the club will decide. So, without further adieu, let's get into it:

Goalkeepers

Mikolaj Lenarcik(GK) - Release

Lenarcik is a tough one. The Alex don't normally carry 3 senior keepers and I can't imagine their faith in Tom Booth to be their long term number 1 has faltered despite his injury issues. Lenarcik shone in the penalty shoot out win over Luton, but the Alex's struggles to bring through and develop keepers remains an issue. I'm not sure with him whether he's kept around as cheap depth or not. Do they roll with Booth and make Lenarcik the number 2? I'd be surprised. I think he's on his way out.

Defenders

Ben Calder(CB) - Release

The tall CB has been anchoring the defence alongside captain Stan Dancey. He's not really stood out in the games I've seen and the Alex's goals against record in the U18s suggests that perhaps some of the back line have struggled at times. Whilst Dancey has stepped up to the U21s on a few occasions, Calder has only appeared a handful times at that level. I think on all available evidence, he'll be released.

Seb Drummond(CB) - Release

The lanky beanpole of a player is instantly recognisable when you go to games, but often its been with him sitting amongst the substitutes. Usually when a 2nd year scholar isn't starting on a weekly basis and isn't getting regular call ups to the U21s, it's not a good sign. So on that basis, I think he'll be on his way out also.

Stan Dancey(CB) - Signed

Dancey seems like a versatile player, capable of playing at both RB and CB, with him mostly lining up at CB in the games I've seen. They clearly think highly of him to make him captain, with him a regular starter in both the U18s and U21s. He even started in the EFL Trophy against Harrogate and came off the bench in the next round against Wrexham, plus made the squad for 2 recent EFL games due to a shortage of senior players. I'd be surprised if he wasn't given a deal at this point.

Xavier Smith(FB) - Release

Smith has been lining up at LB in the games I've seen and has been deployed high up the pitch as almost more of a LWB. He's lively and quick, but I wouldn't say he's blown me away with his performances. How do the management see him? I suppose a lot depends on whether they retain Charlie Finney & Lucas Sant for another season. If they both go, then space opens up for Smith. If either of them stay, Smith could be on his way.

Midfielders

Ben Furlong(CM) - Release

He signed as a midfielder I believe, but every game I've seen him in, he's played on the right wing. What stands out with him is his blistering pace. I've not seen many youth team games over the last few years obviously, but he's the quickest player I've seen them produce.

However, for all his speed, he's a small player, which can hold prospects back unless they have outstanding attributes in other areas. We saw Max Woodcock come through with a similar stature and only manage 1 year in the pros before being released. At this stage, I wouldn't be surprised to see Furlong go the same way.

Callum Hardy(CM) - Release

I remember him getting Wales call ups as an U16s player and thought he was one to watch. But much like Drummond, he's finding himself on the subs bench during his final year as a scholar, which again isn't a good omen for his prospects of getting a deal. And with others arguably standing out ahead of him, I think his path to a deal is slim.

Joe Collins(CM) - Release

Collins operates at the base of the midfield 3 in David Vaughan's 4-3-3 system. He's calm in possession and can pick out a pass, as you would expect from a Crewe midfielder. Like with a few others though, you question whether he stands out as being good enough to step into the pros next season. He's been getting regular U21 minutes, which is a point in his favour, but given a very congested midfield group at the senior level and the 7 players in this years scholarship group who all consider themselves central midfielders, some will have to miss out. Collins could be one of them.

Josh Ashe(CM) - Release

Another who was brought in as a midfielder, but he too finds himself in a different spot most weeks, this time as an all action RB. He's shown an impressive engine to motor up and down the touchline. He gets games in the U21s, seemingly playing a mixture of RB and winger given he's taken the number 7 shirt a few times. He's another I can't call. I'd lean release at this point. It mostly depends on if they envision him moving to another spot and away from CM, where they seem full already.

Oliver Armstrong(CM) - Signed

Like Drummond, Armstrong is another player who you can't miss when he's around the squad but for different reasons(hair colour). Armstrong has been out at Newcastle gaining mens football experience, which is a positive sign towards him sticking around.

However, that doesn't alway mean something, given Jack Parry and Joel Vincent did the same last season and they were both released anyway. Still, he's been a regular with the U21s playing at a mixture of CM and RB, so all things considered, I'd say he has a fair chance at a deal. Him being the next man called up to the senior squad against Gillingham, recalling him from his loan spell at Newcastle, only strengthens my view. For his versatility, I think he's signed.

Will Perry(CM) - Release

Add him to the list of players they've moulded into a different position, this time on the wing opposite Furlong. He's shown a lovely ability to cut inside and find the bottom corner with his shots. He's been an intermittent starter for the U21s and even got his first goal at that level against Hull. I'm hovering between release and unsure, but I'll put him in the former category for now.

Luca Moore(CM) - Signed

He was rumoured to have been poached from the Birmingham City academy 2 years ago, but I'm not sure how true that is. He's played in midfield alongside Owen Taylor and Collins and they've looked an impressive trio at times. Moore grabbed a goal for the U21s in October and bagged 2 in 2 rounds in the FA Youth Cup. He seems comfortable playing a range of different midfield positions and him getting his league debut against Barrow on Saturday only further convinces me that they will give him a deal in the summer.

Strikers

Jordan Hodkin(ST) - Signed

I'd be shocked if he wasn't signed at this point. Every game I watch where he plays, he stands out. He isn't just a poacher in the style of Saunders, Reilly or Evans. He's big but not massive, however he gives defenders a tough game every time he starts. He puts himself about, can score all types of goals and grafts to hold the ball up and link up play. I've been super impressed with him and given the lack of youth prospects across their front line, I can see him being signed up.

Conclusion

13 players all up for deals. How many get one? As mentioned above, a lot will hinge on 2 things. 1, how full they are at certain positions, namely midfield and 2, how likely it is that some of them can move to different positions where there is more of a need. So these discussions will go hand in hand with who from the first team they project to bring back for 2025-26. For now, I'll go with 4 signed in Dancey, Armstrong, Moore and Hodkin. Let's see how close I am to that prediction.