Swansea City defender Alfie Mawson was on the verge of quitting football according to BBC pundit Danny Murphy.
Alfie Mawson signed for Swansea in August from Championship side Barnsley
Danny Murphy has told Wales Online that Swansea City defender Alfie Mawson was on the verge of quitting football.
Mawson, who signed Swansea in August from Championship side Barnsley, has had an impressive debut season and his efforts were rewarded after being named as the club’s Young Player of the Season.
The 23-year-old was given the unenviable task of replacing former captain Ashley Williams in the centre of the Swans defence but has taken it in his stride and become a popular figure amongst the Swansea supporters.
Despite earning a number of plaudits for his performances in the Premier League this season, it is has not been all plain sailing for Mawson when you take a look back at his earlier career.
Mawson joined Brentford on a two-year scholarship when he was 16 and the Bees were in League One but was unable to break into the first team. His three years at Griffin Park sent out to four different clubs, three of these spells came outside of the Football League.
It was not until Mawson joined League Two Wycombe Wanderers for the 2014-2015 campaign that the centre half was given the chance to showcase his talents; by which point he was considering the option of quitting the game.
Mawson played 45 games and scored six goals during his loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers
As reported by Wales Online, Murphy was quick to praise Mawson’s performances this season but revealed that Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth told him about Mawson’s low-point.
“I was speaking to Gareth Ainsworth a few weeks ago and he said (Mawson) was close to quitting football when he was at Wycombe.
“He obviously lost belief, confidence – those things can happen. But look at him now.
“He’s on a different level, in the Premier League now and he’s their first choice centre back. And he will improve under Paul Clement.”
Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson celebrates scoring
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