Maturing maestro realises his potential

MICHAEL O’Neill, the manager of Stoke City, claimed recently that he was “squeezing everything” out of Nick Powell.

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Judging by the 26-year old's all-around excellence in a variety of midfield roles, it is not an idle boast.

“We’re getting so much from Nick,” added the Northern Irishman. “We’ve played him all over the place and he always gives everything. He’s been a very important player for us this season.”

Like Jack Grealish at Villa, Powell is a difficult player to pigeonhole. He is a natural No.10 with the technique and composure to play as a striker, the close control to function out wide, and the intelligence to operate from deep.

Wherever he is deployed, however, Powell has long been regarded as one of the most accomplished players outside the Premier League, even when he was plying his trade with Wigan Athletic in League One.

Schooled at Crewe Alexandra, Powell became the youngest player in the club’s history when he made his debut as a 16-year-old in 2010.

He played a further 63 games for the Railwaymen, capping his stay with a League Two Player of the Year award and a wonder goal at Wembley as Cheltenham Town were vanquished in the 2012 play-off final.