Crowley completes League 1 loan move
As we reported earlier this weekend, Dan Crowley will spend the full 2016/17 campaign on-loan at League One side Oxford United. Having had a spell with Barnsley last term, his time at Oakwell was cut short before the end of last year.
He was constantly being moved around positions, operating as a winger, in central midfield and also in a more advanced position as then-manager Lee Johnson said he was the “best 18-year-old” that he’s ever seen.
Naturally, he’ll be hoping to sustain a good level of consistency with Oxford next season – but his move means Gedion Zelalem and Jon Toral are now more likely to see regular minutes in pre-season, giving the midfield duo a chance to remain in the first-team squad for the forthcoming season.
Adams makes Arsenal return – joins u18 side
In what has been an otherwise quiet week, Arsenal legend Tony Adams is set to return as the club’s joint-assistant manager of the u18 side alongside Thierry Henry.
Frans de Kat confirmed his departure from the club back at the end of April, as he’s becoming Holland’s new coordinator for their academy – meaning Kwame Ampadu will replace him as manager.
Henry, who was heavily praised for his work with the youngsters last term, is set to continue, whilst Adams’ role could include focusing on maintaining defensive stability.
You can read more on Helen’s column, here.
Robinson close to West Ham move
West Ham meanwhile, are increasingly close to signing Tyrell Robinson on a permanent deal. The 18-year-old, who operates as either a left-back or left-winger, signed a professional deal with us but came close to leaving last term after a rumoured falling out with the coaching staff, as he felt frustrated at being asked to constantly play at left-back.
He featured regularly in the FA Youth Cup competition up until our semi-final defeat at the hands of Manchester City, whilst he also played a handful of times in both the u21 Premier League and UEFA Youth League too last term.
Marc Bola has been preferred to him at left-back, whilst coaches feel he’s not good enough to rival the likes of Chris Willock for a starting berth as a bonafide winger.
O’Connor on trial in Netherlands
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Stefan O’Connor is on trial with Dutch second division side MVV Maastricht. Having lost his centre-back spot to Krystian Bielik, he has struggled with a number of troublesome injuries and although coaches feel he has potential, sources suggest he’ll join the club on a season-long loan deal if successful.
His current contract expires next summer, and he turns 20 in January, so he’ll be hoping that he can settle down and play his football without worrying about his future in the coming months.