Dapo Afolayan has piqued Derby County’s interest after an excellent run of form but can he emulate Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis in the Championship?
As Aston Villa fans will tell you, there is real value to be found in non-league. Less than two years after signing a little known 17-year-old by the name of Keinan Davis from Biggleswade Town, the teenage striker is now leading the line in the Championship and keeping a £12 million striker on the bench.
Davis has been one of the revelations of 2017/18, starting 11 league games in Villa colours and impressing with his aggression, work rate and ability to bully defenders with far more experience under their belt.
With the youngster’s contract expiring in the summer, The Sun have even tipped Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton to make a move for one of the most exciting prospects outside the Premier League.
Villa’s decision to hand Davis a second chance in the Football League after he was released by Stevenage back in 2015 is reaping rewards.
Derby’s Davis?
Derby County, then, may be hoping that Dapo Afolayan could have a similarly impressive impact in the second tier. Like Davis, Afolayan was forced to drop into the non-league after failing to make the grade as a trainee at Chelsea.
After scoring goals for fun with National League strugglers Solihull Moors, however, the Daily Star report that Derby are fighting Championship rivals Birmingham City, Barnsley and Burton Albion for the youngster’s signature.
Afolayan has netted eight goals in 2017/18, 44 per cent of Solihull’s overall total, and Derby obviously believe he has the potential to play at a far higher level.
After the success of Davis, not to mention the likes of Jamie Vardy, Andre Gray and Michail Antonio, Derby should take a punt on Afolayan.
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