Player's Profile - Nick Powell

Nick Powell

Nick Powell

Nicholas Edward "Nick" Powell, born 23 March 1994. He has impressed a lot of teams when he was playing for his former club, Crewe. Manchester United, and Arsenal are the strongest team to get him in the summer of 2012. In the end, he choose Manchester United.

Nick Powell on his
Crewe days

Joined Crewe's youth team when he was five, he made his debut for Crewe on the age of 16 in a league match which was ended a 3-2 defeat vs Cheltenham Town on 19 august 2010. He is Crewe's second youngest player to play for them when he came as a substitute for Clayton Donaldson. In his first professional year, Powell could only managed to play 19 matches for Crewe.

Powell playing for Crewe

His second professional year was his breakthrough year. He received his first red card in a 2-0 lost to Sherwsbury Town, following his bad tackle on Terry Gornell, played on 20 august 2011. Even though, Powell managed to stay up and play more consistent. He scored his first professional goal in a 3-1 win vs AFC Wimbledon on 15 October 2011. In December 2011, he received his first personal award - it was Football League's Young Player of The Month award.

Powell's goal vs Cheltenham
in League 2 play-off

On April, Powell won every major awards Crewe have - he won the Crewe Goal of The Year (his 30-yard goal vs Gillingham), Crewe Young Player of The Year, and Crewe Player of The Season. His shine at Crewe hasn't stop there! In a league 2 play off final match vs Cheltenham, he (probably) scored his best goal so far - a nice flick following a hard shot to the top corner - you can see his goal in video below.

Nick Powell alongside Sir Alex
on his announcement day

During his tremendous 11/12 season, he has made 45 appearances for Crewe - managed to score 16 goals, Crewe's top scorer. Young, and great prospect has made big clubs were trying to sign him. It was Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Newcastle wants to sign the teenager. But he choose Manchester United after all, with a transfer fee for about £6m, the agreement includes some payment to Crewe for great prospect Powell has got. On his transfer to United, Crewe's chairman claims "We cant do anything when a big club wants our great player", because he felt disappointed when Powell left Crewe for United. 

Powell on his UCL debut
vs Galasataray

His ManUnited career not as bright as his Crewe day. He struggles to fight with another midfield Manchester United have - he has to fight with Tom Cleverley, Michael Carrick, Anderson, Paul Scholes, and Ryan Giggs on midfield. With big names on the front, Powell could still managed his confident on the top. On his United debut in a 4-0 win vs Wigan, he came up as a substitute for Paul Scholes, and scored his first United goal with a perfectly taken strike (You can see his first United goal on video below). Despite his limited time on the pitch for United, he still confident whenever Sir Alex brought him. He made his first Champions League debut on a 1-0 lost vs home team Galasataray. Played full 90 mins, he clearly showed his class he's got - he nearly scored with a header following Cleverley's corner, but then hit the post. Every United fans since then was always behind him.

Nick Powell representing
England U21

In his international career, Powell has played for England U16,U17,U18,and U19. Currently Powell plays for England U21. He made his England U21 debut in a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland, played full 90mins.

Powell strikes for his first United goal
vs Wigan

Sir Alex described Nick Powell as Paul Scholes' reincarnation - So smart when attacking, never feels nervous with the ball, and always confident when taking shots. When United signed Powell from Crewe, it was really clear that United won't rush him to be in first team, not like Arsenal who play their young players in first team. Rumors nowdays (January '13), Powell planned for a move to Peterborough United on loan for rest of the season. Peterborough's manager is Darren Ferguson - Sir Alex's son.

Powell played brilliantly so far on his career, but sometimes he pushes himself too hard. For example, when he was playing for United in UCL against CFR Cluj on a 1-0 lost, he nearly injured himself 2 times, Sir Alex has to subbed him to keep him safe.

Here's Powell's honors so far, hope more to come! (Source: wikipedia)

Club

Crewe Alexandra

1) Play-Offs Final - 11/12

Individual

1) League Two Young Player of The Month - December 2011

2) Crewe Goal of The Season - 2012

3) Crewe Young Player of The Season - 2012

4) Crewe Player of The Season - 2012

Nick Powell's goal vs Cheltenham Town, League 2 Play-Off final

Nick Powell's debut goal for United vs Wigan, Barclays Premier League

Sir Alex predicted him as new Paul Scholes. Any thoughts about him? Share your thoughts in comment section below!

by adrian