Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth has revealed his favourite ‘success stories’ on former players who have made big money moves, with the manager stating that Alfie Mawson and Eberechi Eze are two names that come to mind.
Mawson played for the club in the 2014/15 season where the Chairboys reached the League Two Play-off Final, but lost to Southend United on penalties.
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Ainsworth, who was on the ‘I Had Trials Once’ podcast said: “I signed Alfie Mawson and then he went to Swansea for £5m and then Fulham for £20m. He’s the big success story.
“But the great thing was, when he got into the England squad and where he was a substitute against Brazil about two years ago, he rang me and he offered me two tickets to come and see him playing for England, which was amazing.”
On Eze, Ainsworth added: “Eberechi Eze at QPR - the best talent I’ve ever coached, the best natural talent.
“I gave him his league debut at Wycombe after I went down and saw him in one game where he got a hat-trick.
“I thought I’m having him, so, I gave him his debut at Wycombe.”
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But Ainsworth admitted that he has made errors by not offering certain players contracts.
He said: “I think the big one that sticks out is Sean Maguire [now at Preston]. I think he had about a 10-day trial at Wycombe and I didn’t sign him as I didn’t really see what I’m seeing now in him, and maybe he needed some more development.
“But he’s turned out to be a hell of a player. You try and get the majority right.”
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