Clubs casting their eyes over Alex starlet

Lee Murphy is the latest player to be wheeled off the Crewe Alexandra talent treadmill and according The Mirror their most current protege is being tracked by a vast number of clubs, including premiership pair Stoke and Aston Villa.

Over the years Alex have produced a quite remarkable number of top quality players with the likes of Dean Ashton, Danny Murphy, Robbie Savage, David Platt and so many more, all either starting their careers at Gresty Road or joining the club early in their development.

You only have to look at the transfer window just gone for further evidence of the caliber of player they produce; highly thought after teenager Nick Powell joined Manchester United whilst ex captain Ashley Westwood has made impressive progress since his move to Aston Villa. So with their illustrious history and Crewe going well it is no surprise that so much scouting attention is being shown towards them week in week out; it is believed that are regularly having their league attendances enhanced by 30 plus scouts each week.

One of those players attracting attention, one is current club captain Murphy. The 23 year old has been a huge influence on Crewe's strong start to life in League one, contributing 5 goals and 7 assists thus far. It would be no surprise to see Villa make a move given that Murphy and Westwood had been an inseparable midfield pairing for 9 years, prior to the laters move. With that in mind and the fact that Westwood has settled into premiership life so impressively its easy to see why Villa and so many others are watching Murphy so closely.

With the transfer window fast approaching Crewe know they will have a job to hang on to Murphy and several of their other key players and whilst they would love to keep these players, they know that these are the moves that keep the club going. Whilst for yet another of their bright young sparks to join the big time would represent another terrific achievement and further enhance thier legacy as one the best centres for developing young English footballers.

Follow @footyfriends