George Cooper wants to emerge as a real game changer next season

George Cooper is hoping a positive pre-season campaign can see him regain his starting place in Crewe Alexandra’s first-team. Cooper, 18, made 25 appearances last season and made a dream start to his involvement in the first team with a goal of the season contender against Coventry City in October.

Cooper, who went on to win the Football League Apprentice of the Year Award for League One, admitted to Crewe Alex Player that he was surprised that he was involved so soon with the first team.

Cooper told Crewe Alex Player: “Going into last pre-season I thought I would possibly get on the bench and continue to play in the Under-21s. I played a couple of games in pre-season but I didn’t think I would be involved, so when I was fairly early on into the new season, I was surprised.

“I didn’t expect and to go into the team and score a few goals was a great experience for me. I didn’t start so many games in the second half of the season but I came off the bench a number of times and it was all a great experience.

“From a personal point of view it was a good first season and I am hungry for more. It is so much better when you are in the team than when you are not in the team so I will be working hard to get my place back and stay there.

“I want to start more games and I want to catch the manager’s eye in pre-season. I have been coming in and doing a few sessions in the close season so I am ready for the 23rd June when the real hard work starts again."

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