This week Wigan have given contracts to eleven youth players as Martinez looks for youth players to break into the team. With the recent success of Moses and McCarthy breaking into the team and having some great performances in the Premier League, Martinez has looked to our own youth system for talent. Martinez has shown himself to be a manager capable of developing players with potential to get them into the first team and playing at thier full ability.
Jon Routledge, Joe Holt, Roman Golobart, Agian Serano, Callum McMananan, Daniel Redmond and Joe Mustoe have all been offered contract extensions to keep them at the DW Stadium. While Adam Buxton, Jonathan Breeze, Daniel Lambert, Jordan Rugg and Josh Langley have all been offered professional contracts. The youth breaking through have got some real talent, Jonathan Breeze is a stand out name, who has played for Northern Island Under 19'S. While Josh Langley is the son of Wigan Legend Kevin Langley, who played for the Latics a total of 383 times scoring 16.
Another young prospect in the side now is goalkeeper Lee Nicholls who has impressed this season in the Wigan Reserves. He was on the bench against Hull in the FA Cup match in January. Mike Polliott who has signed a one year contract extension at the club, is looking to do his coaching badges, has said that he believes Lee is a great talent:
“Lee’s had his first year at the club and done ever so well, earning himself a professional contract after putting in some great performances. He was playing in the reserves when he was still at school, which tells you how good he is. Next year will be a big one for him – he’s got a bright future ahead of him, and he’s someone I rate very highly.”
One youth player though that has left the club is Polish under 21 international Tomasz Cywka. The 22 year old has never been able to break into the first team since signing for the team in 2006. Cywka has signed for Derby County after being on loan at the rams since January, Cywka has signed a two year deal.
The signs look promising for Latics, with some great youth players breaking through the team. It could be an interesting few years with players come through and to see some Wigan born and bred players playing in the premier league will be a good sight to see.