Young Irons star looks ready right now

Top game from young Longelo

Emanuel Longelo was the talk of the night after a performance against Dinamo Zagreb which would have done credit to Aaron Cresswell.

We forget sometimes just how important the 31 year old is to the team and for years we have been talking about bringing a support left back.

Don’t accuse me of getting carried away on the back of one performance – this kid has the lot and at the age on 21 on December 27 has all that’s required as far as I can see.

Against a good European team needing a result for second place in the group he defended well and showed all the enterprise in the world as he attacked them down the left side.

He had 87 touches and not one of them was wasted. The lad is ready for the big time and should Cress not be available for Burnley…who knows. Harrison Ashby on the other side and central defender Aji Alese also caught the eye in particular.

This was a great night and heartiest congratulations to all academy staff, past and present who have had a hand in developing this amazing crop of youngsters.