Former Fulham midfielder Kevin McDonald believes Jay Stansfield, who he is now playing alongside at Exeter City, has all the attributes to star in the Premier League.
The Scottish midfielder, who assisted with academy coaching at Motspur Park before his kidney transplant, told the Mirror that he had already highlighted Stansfield as one of the club’s brightest prospects before the teenager made an emotional loan move back to St. James’ Park at the end of the summer transfer window. McDonald, who has scored two goals in seven days for the Grecians, has only had his opinion of the England under-20 international’s talent improved by playing with the forward.
“I’d train three times a week and I’d take the U18s and the U23s too, sometimes little parts of the sessions, sometimes bigger parts or a full session to gain experience while I was doing my A license, because that was obviously my mindset if I couldn’t get back playing. When I was doing a bit of coaching pre-transplant, Jay was one of the best in that young Fulham team. He was at it every day. I remember he played against Brentford in the Premier League, then he came on against Arsenal and then at the weekend he signed for Exeter. And I remember thinking to myself: ‘What’s happened here? How has that come about?’ But obviously it makes sense.”
McDonald highlights the forward’s maturity in returning to his boyhood club and wearing the number nine shirt retired in honour of his late father.
“He’s a top, top guy; he’s willing to learn every single game and barely ever complains. We get on well and he’s a good laugh too. He’s technically gifted and a lovely finisher. He knows he needs to bulk up as such and he will over time. He’s got it all, though. I said that when I was back there [at Fulham] a couple of years ago and even more so now.
Seeing him doing well against big centre-halves and being clever in first-team games. He needs a goal just now, he’s not scored in a little while. But if he continues to perform how he has been, then goals and assists will come. I know these days there’s a lot made about numbers, but he’s performing well for the team and he’s such a genuine, nice kid.”
