Robbie Savage believes Sean Etaluku has all the attributes to become Forest Green Rovers’ next £1million player.
Etaluku arrived at the New Lawn from Macclesfield last October, but suffered a debilitating hamstring injury and only returned at the backend of the season.
The Rovers boss says Etaluku’s performance against Bristol Rovers showed exactly why the club remains committed to recruiting talented players from lower down the football pyramid and developing them into valuable assets.
“I thought he was incredible,” Savage said. “It’s like a new signing. We know about his injury record when he came here and he’s been very unfortunate. He’s had some tough times in the gym, but he’s got through it.
“I just can’t wait to get him on the pitch and playing regularly. We have to slow him down at times because he’s so eager.”
Savage revealed Etaluku embodies the recruitment model he has followed throughout his time as director of football at Macclesfield and now as Forest Green manager.
“My recruitment policy has always been to try and find those gems.
“I’m in on my day off looking at clips and searching for players lower down the leagues. That’s our ethos. That’s what I love doing – finding the next gem.
“Sean, for me, can become another million-pound player. That’s what I believe.
“I think in this squad we’ve got a couple.”
Savage believes every player at the club has increased their value through the work being done behind the scenes.
“All the players have a value and those values have significantly increased since they’ve been here because of how they’ve improved and how we’ve got the best out of them.
“They can see now what can happen at this football club if you do well.”
Savage pointed to Laurent Mendy’s imminent record-breaking move to Hearts as proof the club’s recruitment strategy is working.
“We found Mendy in a trial game. We identified his talent when he was playing at right-back, but with my knowledge I thought he could play in midfield, and he can equally play centre-back.
“It’s okay spotting talent, but then you’ve got to develop them, encourage them, nurture them and get the best out of them. We’re doing that here and we did it at Macclesfield.”
Reflecting on his first year in charge, Savage believes he has delivered exactly what chairman Dale Vince asked for.
“Dale wanted fun, entertaining football and that was music to my ears because that’s what I build my squads on.
“I also said what we needed was players from lower leagues who could become assets.
“If you can become a club with ambition but also a production line of players who can be sold for a lot of money, that’s huge.
“I believe in this squad we’ve probably got three or four players worth over half a million and one or two who, in the future, could be worth more than £1million.”
Savage again singled out Etaluku as one of those players.
“I believe Sean Etaluku is going to be a million-pound player. That’s what I believe.”
The Forest Green boss also stressed that ability alone is not enough when recruiting players, insisting character is just as important.
“When we sign a player, I speak to former managers, teammates and people who know them. I want to know what they’re like off the pitch because that’s huge.
“This season I wanted to create a dressing room that’s completely together.
“Everybody has a value at this football club. If you’re not buying into what we do and your value is met, then you can leave.
“You need a very strong changing room. I realised that very quickly as a manager.
“We want good, hungry people who want to improve, fight for their team-mates and fight for the club. If you don’t want to do that, then this isn’t the place for you.”
