Director Of Football says captain has just kept on improving

Dario Gradi has told the club’s official web-site that Academy graduate Luke Murphy has every chance of following his close pal Ashley Westwood into the top flight at some stage because he has worked hard to improve.

The Crewe Alexandra captain is the latest Alex youngster to be linked with a move to a bigger club after scoring 9 goals, providing double figures in assists and leading the club to victory in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

The club have not received any enquires for the Alsager-based youngster, but Dario is not surprised that Murphy is being tipped to play at a higher level one day.

Dario told Crewe Alex Player: “Luke has done very well and become the player that Steve Holland always thought he would. I wasn’t as sure as Steve was but gave him his debut.

“Murph has gone on and improved, much in the same way Westy did. When you put them in as young players you are never sure how they will do. You are never even totally sure about anybody. It was the same with Nick (Powell).

“What we were sure about was that he was a talented boy. He progressed quickly and got a move to Manchester United.

“You have to keep on improving. Westy has done that. David Platt did that. If you would have said to me at the time that he would go on to captain England, play in Italy and play for Arsenal I would have laughed but Platty worked hard and kept on improving.

“He went from a good player to a very good player.”