Nick Powell was dubbed as a wonder-kid when he made his professional debut at just 16 years of age for his local club Crewe Alexandra. The talented English striker made total of 19 appearances coming off the bench, and it could be seen even then his time is coming.
Following, 2011/12 season was something of a dream for every young player who wants to succeed in football. Imposing himself as a first choice option, playing just behind the main striker, Powell managed to play unbelievable amount of 45 appearances with a staggering 16 goals in all competitions – including a spectacular weaker foot volley in League Two play-off final at Wembley against Cheltenham.
Sir Alex Ferguson reacted promptly, and Powell signed for Manchester United at the age of 18 for more than £6 million, which was a precedent having in mind he was playing only in the fourth tier of English football.
After making a brilliant start, with a goal on his Old Trafford debut against Wigan, it seemed like the star was born. However, he made only five further appearances that season, not enough to gain his first Premier League medal and he was loaned out to relegated Wigan Athletic in a pursuit of playing minutes. A successful loan spell with the Latics saw him net 12 goals in 42 appearances, which resulted in Wigan manager Üwe Rosler’s praises as one of the best he’s ever worked with.
Powell’s ‘renaissance’ was almost ruined by first indications of his unsportsmanlike life. He was banned for drunk-driving in May 2014, which put the seed of doubt about his future at United. With the change of manager, Powell was supposed to have a fresh start, amidst the stories he was planned to go on a loan to a Premier League club. United’s embarrassing defeat away to MK Dons, where Powell was substituted after 57 minutes, angered Louis van Gaal and a large majority of players that featured in that game, including Powell, weren’t there in one week’s time.
Newly promoted Leicester City applied for his services, but that move ended in fiasco. Only three cameos in Leicester’s defeats and a handful of games played for Foxes’ Under-21 team wasn’t what United staff and fans expected from talented 20-year-old.
Just before the turn of the year, Leicester terminated his loan because of the player’s lack of commitment and lazy attitude. That acknowledgment all but sealed his future in a red shirt, knowing the ethics van Gaal wants to implement. Powell became something of a forgotten man, due to not fulfilling the massive expectations fans and Ferguson set for him. A couple of minor injuries prevented him from playing more than five Under-21 games in as many months.
Powell’s ability on the ball, technique, football intelligence and an eye for goal are undeniable to say at least, but his negative arrogance towards training might be the reason why Powell won’t be at the club behind the end of his contract next year.
Personal impression is that Powell has stepped up to the highest stage too early in his career. Ambition and enthusiasm for the game looks to be substituted with the fame and obsession with money, not uncommon syndrome when it comes to young footballers. Standards at Manchester United require a positive attitude on top of the high quality and, from fan’s point of view – it’s baffling to comprehend Powell’s mental state that is stopping him from realising his world class talent.
What is sure, Nick Powell won’t get more than one chance from Louis van Gaal and judging by previous events, it is questionable whether he will get the opportunity at all.
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