Exeter to utilise the loan market but money talks
EXETER City manager Matt Taylor is keen to utilise the loan market again next season, but says ‘money talks’ when recruiting a player from another club.
The Grecians have enjoyed great success in taking young players from Championship clubs in recent seasons and their exposure to lower league men’s football has stood them in great stead when returning to their parent club.
Kyle Edwards and Dara O’Shea are both in the West Bromwich Albion first team squad now, while 19-year-old Jayden Richardson returns to Nottingham Forest a better, stronger player after a year in Devon that saw him make 28 appearances, scoring twice.
However, while such exposure can only benefit a young player, the costs involved are what hinder City with parent clubs often insisting on loan fees and/or wages being paid.
When asked if City’s reputation helps them attract young players, Taylor said: “Yes it does, but money still talks, I’m afraid.
“We got Dara because I went to watch him play at Chasetown in a pre-season friendly and I saw him head as a non-league centre half as hard as he possibly could.
“We took a bit of a risk and I don’t mind saying this, but we paid £100 towards his wages, which was basically West Brom saying you can take him and we are not expecting anything from him. Now, he is playing in their first team, worth X amount and earned himself a fantastic contract.
“It all depends on how the parent club value the player. If the player has a good reputation, then they expect money back in return and, unfortunately, we can’t do that.
“We got a really good deal for Jayden Richardson through my relationship with Gary Brazil at Nottingham Forest and we will continue those relationships as best we can. But, unfortunately, even in the modern climate, the top clubs will expect money for their young players.”
O’Shea had spent the 2017/18 season on loan at Hereford in the Southern League and it was quite a step up when he joined the Grecians in League Two the following season.
His incredible rise continued, though, as he made 33 appearances in all competitions before returning to the Hawthorns, where his rapid development has continued, as he forced his way into the first team making 16 appearances so far – 15 from the start – as the Baggies chase promotion to the Premier League.
“Hopefully they are not blinkered in terms of seeing what we do for their development,” Taylor added. “Dara is a great example and Jayden will be a great example, we expect them to go on and have good careers in the game, so hopefully it will work in our favour.
“Again, the better players are in demand. Clubs will ask for X amount in terms of a loan fee and we can’t pay those amounts.”