20 January 2024 , 20:30
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Port Vale teenager Liam Brazier is attracting the attention of Spanish giants Barcelona after just three low-profile games.
The attacking midfielder is also on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs who have been watching the 17-year-old in Vale’s junior games. His trio of first-team games came in the Football League Trophy against Crewe Alexandra, Newcastle Under 21s and Wrexham.
Like most League One clubs Vale need every penny and would be vulnerable to an approach from any interested parties. But Barcelona’s tracking of the player who has come through the club’s thriving academy has raised eyebrows within Vale Park.
It’s why they have quickly moved to tie the teenager down with a first professional contract which will allow Port Vale to cash in if they decide to sell.
Speaking after Brazier and three other academy scholars made their debut against Crewe in September, Vale manager Andy Crosby was clear on how important young players flourishing was for the overall outlook of the club.
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“For the football club to finish off with four academy players on the pitch at the end is really good," Crosby said. "We finished off the game with all outfield players 23 and under, so it’s really good for the long-term future of the football club and I’ve got to give credit to the academy and all of the coaches."
Crosby previously worked within the Northern Ireland Under-21 setup and is now using that experience to help players make the jump from junior to senior football. "A couple of other players have left the academy structure and gone on to other clubs. And that's a reflection of the reward for what the coaches are doing, what the club is doing and also the player.
He told the Sentinel: "Baylee Dipepa and Liam Brazier were with us in pre-season and have now gone back into their natural group to continue to grow and get game time. They were both playing well in the academy games and there is this constant communication between myself and the academy staff.
"When you get games where you can expose them to first-team football I think it's important you do that. They have to be good enough and those guys got some valuable experience.