Danny Cowley provides Portsmouth update on Man Utd and Chelsea triallists

Mancheser United defender Max Taylor and Chelsea midfielder Pierre Ekwah trained with the Blues during Kenny Jackett’s final week as manager.

Both caught the eye for the reserves in a 2-1 defeat of Luton under-21s at Gosport Borough’s Privett Park.

It initially looked like Pompey’s interest in the duo was over after Jackett departed following defeat to Salford in the Papa John’s Trophy final at Wembley.

However, Cowley revealed that he has held talks with head of recruitment Phil Boardman over Taylor, 21, and Ekwah, 19.

Cowley and Boardman met yesterday afternoon to discuss the triallists along with other recruitment topics.

The Blues’ head coach said: ‘We have spoken about them both and if we can get the opportunity to look at any player we think is good enough to play for Pompey, if there's an opportunity to try before you buy then that’s a really good thing to be able to do.

‘All of a sudden you see them in that environment. We have a model we use to allow us watch the player at the final part of the recruitment. We need to watch them, fall nto our statistical model we use and see how they'd perform in our team.

‘We have got a good way of working to that and if you can get them to train with you, it allows them to train in your enviroment and fit into the group.

‘While you're always trying to find a player with the best attributes, you're always thinking about their character because we know how important that character, togetherness and spirit is for the group.

‘For us, we'll try to look at all the potential options and the best fits. We'll 100 per cent be involved in that.

‘I never like to sign a player without seeing them with my own eyes ie live.’

Taylor has a remarkable story having battled testicular cancer to make a full recovery.

Cowley hailed the centre-back’s resolve as he bids to find a new club ahead of a summer release from Old Trafford.

He added: ‘For us, when you see players go through difficult moments in their lives and come through them, that will naturally build resilience, determination and robustness.

‘The fact Max has been able to do that and play professionally is a credit to him and he'll always have my utmost respect.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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