Last year I penned an article in which I looked at the development of Dan Crowley and how he would find it difficult to make his way into the first-team.
Almost a year on, and it looks as if it’s going to be impossible to drop him from the team going into the new campaign, at least certainly after his display against Tottenham Hotspur.
Acting as that number ten role behind Adan George, his eye for a pass, creative skill and willingness to run with the ball did cause the Spurs defence a few problems on occasion.
If you take a look at the reaction from the fans after the game, as well as noted Blues journalist Brian Dick, his performance against Premier League opposition should really put him in good stead for this season, and is coming across as a player who could be key to our season.
Has Dan Crowley been worth the investment for the Blues?
Yes
No
But as I put last week, the arrival of Jon Toral could prove to be a bit of a sticky wicket, because Toral is a natural number ten as well, and with Aitor Karanka seeming to favour a 4-2-3-1 formation, someone is going to have to give. I did suggest that we made Crowley perhaps play a little bit deeper and allow him to dictate play from further back, but having watched the game against Spurs, I’m not sure we can afford to do that.
We’d be stifling what he does best, and now we might need to turn our attention to how we fit Toral into the team.
It gives Karanka a selection problem, and some times that can be a good thing. I’m just glad that I’m not the one that has to make it, because it would certainly be giving me headaches.
What about you? What would you do in this situation? Who would you play in that role?
We have only scored one goal in 3 friendlies and the top scorer from last season is apparently a possible transfer! We obviously will shortly announce Lionel Messi has joined us on a free transfer!!