Crewe Preview

As some teams are still contemplating the finish of this season, forward thinking Crewe today revealed their plans for the coming season.

League

After promotion this season, a realistic Crewe only have one aim for the new season, and that is to not get drawn into a relegation scrap. In what will be a tough division featuring the likes of Reading, Hull, Leicester and Doncaster, Crewe are said to be glad that they won't have to add Scunthorpe to that formidable list of opponents, having been demolished by them last season.

Cups

Following last season's Cup final appearance, Crewe manager Sean has warned the fans not to expect a repeat performance this season. After receiving all home draws last season(final aside), Crewe made very little money in the cups, and are believed to want an away tie at Manchester United, Liverpool, or Arsenal this season to help out financially. The club have also commited themselves to joining the EC106 Youth cup.

Departures

With the introduction of transfer budgets next season, Crewe will not be selling anyone in the close season, and will await the first day of season 9 to sell their transfer listed pair of Marcelinho and Perez. 90 rated Marcelinho was a key player this season for Crewe, but his £43,500 wages are said to be too much for Crewe to pay any one player, and Ajax look to be the likely destination as top bidders with 8.1million. 88 rated Gk Oscar Perez spent last season on loan at Colchester United, and his likely destination is Dynamo Kyev who lead with a £3.8m bid. Czech forward Jan Koller and Finnish midfielder Tim Sparv are also set to leave when their transfer bans expire. But Crewe are not intending to go down the route of fellow promotee's Notts County, who seem to be in the middle of a squad wise revamp

Arrivals

End of season arrivals Joe Allen, Paul Slade and Pawel Abbott are all unlikely to get a league game this season, but the club will be treating Eljero Elia as a new signing when he returns from loan following tomorrow nights play-off final for Wycombe. Elia was shipped out on loan the day he signed for Crewe in an attempt to aclimatise himself to English football.

Crewe are expected to bring in a midfielder to replace Marcelinho, but other than that they are not expected to be bringing in any other big money signings. Crewe manager Sean is known to be interested in Preston's Pocognoli, but with Assou-Ekkotta and Marcao in the squad, a move for another left back is highly unlikely. It is also well known that Crewe are interested in Crystal Palace's Rhys Williams, but know Mr Holt is highly unlikely to agree to a sale, and have no intention of stretching the exceptional working relationship between the 2 clubs by trying to tap up young Rhys.

Another player to have taken the eye of Crewe is young Georgian midfielder Irakli Klimiashvili, currently playing for Georgian champions FC Wit

Loans

Crewe used several loan players last season at various times, mostly on short term loans, however Russian winger Marat Izmailov stood out for the club on loan from Manchester United, with 4 goals in 13 games, and a string of outstanding performances. Once again Crewe are expected to be keen on aquiring a top loan or two at key points of the season.

Key players

Argentinian midfielder Sebastián Battaglia has been a sensation since joining and was installed as club captain following a string of outstanding performances, with key goals in several games for the club.

Cameroonian defender Benoît Assou Ekotto was a key player for Crewe last season, an ever-present early season, Crewe's form started to dip following a knee injury that put him out for several weeks.

Mario Yepes was a surprise buy for Crewe, but his experience help keep Crewe from total meltown at the end of the season. Crewe's management have privately proclaimed that Mario was the key to helping Crewe snatch their final few points in the season

Players to watch

Despite having yet to pull on a Crewe shirt, Dutch forward Eljero Elia has mad a big impact whist on loan at Wycombe, with 5 goals in 10 games, including ones against Crewe and Oxford.


Having arrived at Crewe with low confidence following an unsuccesful spell at Selhurst Park Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic will be hoping to make a name for himself in season 9. A Croatian international who once scored past England, Mario is a creative player who is expected to create many a goal this coming season.

Crewe complete swoop

Crewe complete swoop

TAKAYUKI MORIMOTO
森本 貴幸

21 year old Japanese forward Takayuki Morimoto has joined for a fee of £2.4mil and defender Victor Bernardez.

Morimoto made his Serie A debut in January 2007, scoring 5 minutes after coming onto the pitch. The 5ft 11 forward is now hoping to make a similar start to his Crewe career when he makes his debut at Rochdale on Saturday.

The move comes as a bit of a shock, considering the player was linked to teams like Man utd, Man City and Everton a few months back by Sky Sports.com.

In Italy Takayuki is nicknamed "The Japanese Ronaldo", with Brazilian Alexandre Pato recently telling Corriere Dello Sport that he believes Morimoto is the best young player in Serie A and has compared him to Brazilian legend Ronaldo.

Crewe 4 - 1 Chelsea

little division 4 side Crewe Alexandra pulled of a huge shock in tonights Cup Quarter Final to book a Semi Final game against Everton.

Centre back James Collins opened the scoring in the 12th minute, only for Chelsea's French midfielder Patrick Viera to equalise 13 minutes later. Spanish striker Adrian Colunga then hit 2 in the 27th and 35th minute to give Crewe a 3-1 half time lead. Man of the match Sebastian Battaglia then capped of an outstanding Crewe performance with a 69th minute goal. From then in Crewe never gave Chelsea chance to mount a fight back with Collins, Mollo and Adrian Colunga all trying their luck.

Young CB joins the club

Crewe today confirmed the £20k signing of 18 year old defender Josh Thompson from Stockport. It is hoped the player will be a huge star for the club in the future

Manchester United Feghouli bid rejected

A player exchange bid for Stefane Feghouli from Manchester United was today rejected by Crewe. It is thought the player offered was young Spanish midfielder Alberto Zapater.

Despite the rejected offer, It is thought that a large cash bid may be impossible for the club to turn down, as they are losing nearly 1 million pounds a t

Fon Williams to Gresty Road

Crewe today announced the signing of young Welsh goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams.

"I am delighted to have managed to sign Owain for the club," Crewe manager Sean told the official club website. "Owain is a young keeper who has tthe potential to be playing top flight football, and to pick him up as a free agent is amazing. He is one of several free agents my scouts have found for me this season, and I am hoping to sign 2 more before I temporarily put an end to new signings."

When asked about rumours of a players revolt at the club Sean said "I have put 2 young defenders on the list today(david gray and Gianluigi Bianco) who allowed themselves to be influenced by the recent goings on with Heskey, Cole and Mancienne, and there are a few others who I will be selling once their transfer bans are up, but they are now banished to the reserves and won't ever get to pt on the Crewe shirt. But on the whole I have a great bunch of lads, many who can play first team football for the club for many seasons. With the likes of Gyepes, Collins, Bernardez, Essou Ekotto and Bellusci I have the potential for an amazing defence, Battaglia, Lafita, Feghoulli, Mollo, Bernado and Kadlec are all certain to play a big part for several years in the midfield, and Orlando Sa, Main and Adrian Colunga have got a great future as goal getters. Of course with Rame being 36 years old their is only a limited future for him, and that is why I have had to bring in Fon Williams."

Daley joins Crewe

Crewe Today completed the 10k signing of former Norwich striker Luke Daley.

Luke was recently rekeased by the canaries and Crewe wasted no time in snapping up the youngster.

Welbeck joins Crewe

Danny Welbeck today joined Preston team mate Marko Arnautovic on loan at Crewe. Welbeck has joined mainly for strengthening the cup side, a role he got used to in his early career at Manchester United. He is likely to make a substitute appearance in tomorrow nights game with Bournemouth before getting his full debut next monday against Milwall in the Shield.

Rotherham United 0 -1 Crewe Alexandra

Crewe kept a 2 point gap over Brenford with this win at Rotherham. Adrian Colunga got a 1st minute headed goal on his debut to earn the points for the Division 4 leaders.

Manager Sean Fitzpatrick wasn't at the game as he was at a P!nk concert. But despite the lack of their manager, the gresty Road side came out as winners once again.

Crewe add more youngsters to squad

Crewe this week continued there youth drive with the signing of young Italians Andrea Catellani & Gabriele Angella, former Villa youngster Mark Albrighton, and Austrian prodigy Philipp Prosenick.

Fresh Blood in at Gresty Road

Crewe today unveiled 5 new signings in Brazilian Aleixo Wellington Saci, Mexican Noe Maya, and young Turkish trio Semih Kaya, Furkan Ozcal, and Soner Aydogdu. It is also thought that they have bids in on 3 other youngsters.

Crewe sign new Main man

Crewe completed the £30,000 sigining of free agent Curtis Main.

Main, who made his Darlington debut at 15, is seen as the long term replacement for the departing Carlton Cole and Ross McCormack.

Rusden 2 - 3 Crewe

Cole Wants Out

Carlton Cole today shocked Crewe by handing in a transfer request. The England striker is understood to be unhappy at playing second fiddle to Emile Heskey, despite 3 man of the match performances in 6 substitute appearances.

It is thought that a cash fee of around 8-9 million will be enough to get Carlton from Crewe.

Norwegian signs for 20k

Crewe today unveiled young Norwegian defender Hakon Skogseid as their latest signing.

Skogseid signed for £20,000 from Norwegian side Viking FK.

Crewe today announced that they will be playing a friendly at Norwich City on Thursday 23rd April. Tickets are available from the club box office at £5.00 per person.