Izzy Brown completed his move to Preston North End this week. The 24-year-old signed a one-year contract with the option of extending for another 12 months.
The attacking midfielder will leave Chelsea, after spending eight years with the club and numerous loan spells away from Stamford Bridge.
It’s an interesting signing by Preston and it gives an indication on the type of player that may catch Frankie McAvoy’s eye. It may differ from Alex Neil’s approach, and although Neil wasn’t always able to get his top targets, it may be refreshing to see the club move in a slightly different direction.
Under Simon Grayson more so than Neil, opportunities were handed to quite a few players who hadn’t been able to break through at their Premier League club. Ben Pearson and Callum Robinson were two that were able to establish themselves in the Championship before moving on.
Both were brought in for relatively low fees and were eventually sold for a good profit. Daniel Johnson is another brought in by Grayson, and is still a key player for the club.
Alex Neil didn’t really bring any players in like that; ones who needed some games under their belt, and a platform to show what they can do. His signings often tended to be a bit more experienced but perhaps from a lower level.
Izzy Brown arrives having played more games than Pearson and Robinson had when they joined, but he is at a crossroads in his career. Now 24, he is all too aware that he needs to start performing on a consistent basis, and to settle at a club.
Speaking to the official website shortly after the move, Izzy said “Now I’m getting to that age where I want to develop myself as a player and hopefully be a legend at a club, and I really feel like Preston’s a place where I could do that.”
He now has a chance, and given how highly rated he was at a young age –Jose Mourinho had backed him to play for England – there’s a great opportunity for him to show everyone what he can do. It’s a free transfer for Preston, so it is a low risk move and one that fans can get behind.
It looks like Frankie McAvoy is a manager that likes players to go and express themselves and they will be handed opportunities. He has to mix things up after the club’s poor form at the end of Alex Neil’s tenure. Signing someone like Izzy Brown rather than a League One or League Two player indicates, McAvoy wants some quality and players who can grow at the club.
Preston have been linked with another young player in Matthew Olusunde recently. A right-back at just 23 who is also a free agent after leaving Rotherham United. He came through at Manchester United so like Brown has a good pedigree.
With so many key players leaving North End last season, it’s time for new blood to be brought in, and there’s gaps for players to make themselves legends for the club like Izzy has said.
He also told BBC Radio Lancashire that he is good friends with Callum Robinson and is aware how well he kicked on at Preston. If Izzy Brown can get close to replicating that, then it will be some signing for the club.