BLUES boss Simon Davies is tipping Paul Taylor to be one of League Two’s surprise packages next season.
Davies snapped Taylor up on a six-month loan from non-league Vauxhall Motors last week and the Liverpool-born 22-year-old has already impressed his new team-mates on the training field.
He may still be an unknown quantity to most fans, but Chester are quietly confident they have landed a player with huge potential – although Taylor is far from being the finished article.
Davies said: “Paul’s very raw, I’d say that. He plays off the cuff. He’s going to be a difficult one to coach, although having seen some of the skills he was producing in training, I wouldn’t want to knock that out of him.
“In terms of where he has to be on the pitch defensively, we’ll have to nail him down on that, but every time he got the ball he was taking a player or two out of the game with touches of brilliance. He’s one that could be absolutely anything this season.”
Chester have already put in place plans to snap Taylor up on a permanent deal when his loan expires. A former Manchester City trainee, the young forward netted 17 goals for a struggling Vauxhall side last season – many of them spectacular strikes.
His arrival – coupled with that of fellow striker Ryan Lowe – may have spelled the end of Chris Holroyd’s Chester career.
The Blues have accepted an undisclosed bid from Blue Square Premier outfit Cambridge United for the 21-year-old striker.
Holroyd – a product of Crewe’s youth system – must now agree personal terms with Cambridge, who are managed by former Chester skipper Gary Brabin.
Another player who could be on his way out of the Deva is midfielder Mark Hughes.
The Northern Ireland international was a first-team regular last season but could fall down the pecking order next term following the arrival of Anthony Barry, Jay Harris and David Mannix.
Barnet are thought to be interested in Hughes, who is a former Tottenham trainee.
Two players released by Chester at the end of last season have found new clubs. Utility man Kevin Sandwith has joined Weymouth, while midfielder Dean Bennett has signed a permanent deal with Kidderminster Harriers. The former Wrexham man spent much of last season on loan with the Harriers.
Chester play their first pre-season game of the season next Tuesday (July 15) when they travel to Southport.
