In this series, I will look at upcoming players in the lower leagues of English Football who could one day be shining in the Premier League. In my first article of this series, I am looking at Gillingham’s bright-spark, Bradley Dack, who was recently named League 1 Player of the Year.
Bradley Dack signed a three-year scholarship deal with the Gills in 2010 and signed his first professional contract with the club in May 2012. It was only a few months later in August when manager Martin Allen was so impressed with Dack’s pre-season performances, he gave the youngster his professional debut in the 2-1 victory against Bristol City in the League Cup. His first senior goal came against Crawley Town a month later in the Football League Trophy – signing a new three-year contract with Gillingham the following day.
The midfielder’s chances would be limited though when Peter Taylor was appointed in October 2013. Dack would find his game time often being restricted to substitute appearances as Taylor preferred experience over youth. Coincidentally, when Taylor was sacked on the 31st December 2014 Dack went on to become a key-man in The Gills’ remainder of the season and helped guide them to their highest position in a decade, finishing 12th in League One.
This season Dack has really caught the eye of Premier League scouts. The 22 year-old has 13 goals to his name so far this season, which has helped Gillingham battle for a Play-Off place. His season did have a set-back though as ‘Dacky’ suffered a hamstring injury in March which kept him out for a month.
But why I do think he could be playing Premier League football in the future? Well, numerous numbers of scouts have visited Priestfield this season to watch the talented midfielder and Gills chairman, Paul Scally, reportedly rejected five bids in January from Championship club Bristol City, with the highest reported to be £2.5 million. In the last few days he has been heavily linked with Crystal Palace. He is regarded by many as the ‘best player in League 1’ and I am one hundred per cent confident that Bradley Dack will not be playing in a Gillingham shirt next season, that is the only thing I can be certain about regarding his future. Perhaps we’ll even see him in an England shirt one day but maybe I’m taking that a little too far….
Hope you enjoyed reading this and please leave a comment letting me know who I should look at next!
