8 Cardiff City, Wrexham, Newport and Swansea City youngsters who could benefit from Cymru Premier loan
Jake Davies has had experience of playing against Cymru Leagues opposition. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
The Cymru Premier could once again provide a valuable pathway for young players from Welsh EFL clubs, with the transfer deadline now just a couple of days away.
The window closes at 11 pm on Tuesday, September 1, leaving Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wrexham and Newport County with limited time to decide what is best for some of their emerging talents.
For young players who are not yet ready to establish themselves in the first team, a loan move can be an important part of their development. Regular senior football can offer experience that cannot always be replicated at academy level, while also giving players the chance to build confidence and adapt to the physical and competitive demands of the professional game.
The four Welsh clubs in the EFL have all used the Cymru Premier as a destination for young players in the past, with the Welsh top flight offering a familiar but competitive environment in which prospects can gain valuable minutes.
With the deadline fast approaching, there could be several loan deals completed over the coming days.
Here are eight players from Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wrexham and Newport County who could benefit from a temporary spell in the Cymru Premier this season.
Dan Ola – Cardiff City
After registering an assist on his Cardiff City debut, Dan Ola has found it difficult to make the breakthrough into the Bluebirds’ first team.
Now 19, the striker is reaching an important stage of his development and needs regular senior football to take the next step in his career. Ola has enjoyed an impressive rise through the Cardiff academy, progressing through the age groups before becoming a key figure for the club’s Under-21 side.
Standing at 6ft 4in, Ola possesses an intriguing combination of physical presence and technical ability. He is comfortable with the ball at his feet and uses his size intelligently, particularly when bringing teammates into play and holding the ball up.
There is also a willingness to work without the ball. Ola can lead the press effectively and has shown an appetite for putting defenders under pressure, something that should serve him well as he makes the transition into senior football.
At 19, though, the next part of his development is about learning the less glamorous side of the game.
Youth football can only take a player so far, and Ola now needs to experience the physicality, competitiveness and unpredictability that comes with playing against experienced senior players week in, week out.
For that reason, the Cymru Premier could represent an excellent next step for the Cardiff youngster. A temporary move would allow Ola to play regular first-team football, develop his game against senior opposition and learn what is required to lead the line at a higher level.
Jake Davies – Cardiff City
Another Cardiff forward in need of their first loan move is versatile forward Jake Davies. The 19-year-old also has one first-team appearance to his name but has been unable to build on it. Now in the final year of his Bluebirds contract, Davies is in need of regular first-team minutes to prove the quality he has undoubtedly shown at youth level.
Capable of operating centrally or off either flank, Davies is direct and skilful, with an eye for goal. The forward also possesses pace that is difficult for defenders to deal with, while remaining neat in possession. Davies’ energetic style makes him a real handful.
Having established himself at academy level, Davies is ready to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Isaac Jefferies and Morgan Wigley in recent years and enjoy a spell in the Cymru Premier.
Seb Dabrowski – Swansea City
Seb Dabrowski had his first taste of senior football on loan at Chippenham Town in the second half of last season. However, after suffering a hip injury, his loan was cut short just two games into his Chippenham career. Now 20, Dabrowski needs game time, especially given Swansea’s repeated use of the loan market to find a backup for Josh Tymon. An impressive loan spell could see Dabrowski take up that role.
Dabrowski is an attack-minded full-back, capable of playing at left-back in a back four or as a wing-back. The 20-year-old is technically capable, as well as being an energetic player who can contribute in both boxes.
The 20-year-old is perhaps the archetype of a player who could benefit from the Cymru Premier. An attack-minded left-back with a strong technical upbringing at Swansea, he now needs regular senior minutes to turn his potential into consistency.
Josiah Kallicharan – Swansea City
Trinidad and Tobago U20 international Josiah Kallicharan joined the Swans last summer. The striker has predominantly featured for the U18s, although he has also featured for the U21s. Kallicharan feels like a player with a high ceiling who could benefit from a stint in the Welsh top tier.
The 18-year-old is a physical striker, standing at 6ft 4in. Kallicharan has quite the presence in the box, obviously due to his height, but also because of his clinical touch. The Trinidadian is direct, holds the ball up well and is still a very raw player.
At such an early stage of his career, a short stint in the Cymru Premier feels like it could have huge long-term benefits. Playing in a league where he will be physically challenged could help nurture both him and his talents.
Oliver McTweed – Wrexham
Midfielder Oliver McTweed is captain of Wrexham’s academy side and was rewarded with his first professional contract this summer. The midfield area is highly competitive at first-team level, so a loan could make sense for the 18-year-old this season.
McTweed is strong both going forward and defensively. The midfielder is comfortable on both feet and poses a real threat in attack with his dangerous set pieces, as well as his ability from long range. McTweed is also strong in the air.
At this stage, it is about seeing if McTweed can translate these traits into first-team football. A season in the Cymru Premier would provide the perfect test, with the midfielder coming up against seasoned players ready to challenge him physically.
Alex Moore – Wrexham
After spending the second half of last season on loan at Colwyn Bay, a return to the Cymru Premier could make sense for Moore this season. A full season of consistent minutes at first-team level could prove highly beneficial for the 19-year-old.
Moore is a technically capable midfielder who is comfortable operating both deep and further forward, with a quality touch in the final third. He is a mature and classy midfielder, possessing strong abilities on the ball while also being able to contribute defensively.
After half a season at this level, a full season feels like a natural next step for the talented midfielder. Moore is in need of consistent, regular first-team minutes, and the Cymru Premier feels like a good level for him to continue building up experience.
Harri Pugh – Newport County
Pugh was one of the very few County players to be offered a professional contract, with plenty of those making permanent moves all across the Welsh pyramid. However, a temporary move to the Cymru Premier feels like it could benefit the 18-year-old, who has featured in pre-season for Newport’s first team.
The midfielder is an aggressive and energetic midfielder, capable of operating as a holding midfielder or as a box-to-box midfielder. Pugh also possesses strong technical ability and is a strong ball carrier. The 18-year-old is also a strong ball progressor.
A temporary move to the Cymru Premier could be a good test to see whether Pugh can consistently impose himself on games as he has at youth level. He has a big future at Newport, with a loan at this stage one that could be beneficial in the long-term for all parties.
Morgan Alexander-Walker – Newport County
Due to the nature of Newport’s academy overhaul in the summer, not many players appear ready for a loan. However, Alexander-Walker needs to build on his loan spell at Bath City in the second half of last season. The 19-year-old featured ten times, registering one assist.
Alexander-Walker is a pacey forward capable of operating on either wing. The 19-year-old is direct and full of energy, as well as being a more-than-capable finisher. Despite not being the biggest, Alexander-Walker uses his body well thanks to his low centre of gravity. The young forward is a forward-thinking creative outlet.
It’s a big season for Alexander-Walker in his career, and minutes may not come at this early stage of his career at Newport. So, don’t be surprised to see Newport go down a similar route to what they have done with youngsters over the years and temporarily move Alexander-Walker to the Welsh top tier.
There are a plethora of players ready for their first loans or looking to build on their first loan spells at the Welsh clubs in the EFL, particularly Cardiff City and Swansea City. Hopefully, these four sides will be prepared to send some exciting talent to the Welsh top flight before the deadline.
