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Player to look out for this season: Daniel Bentley (Southend)



Fact File:

Team: Southend United 

Age: 22

Nation: England

Position: Keeper

Teams Played For: Southend United, Braintree Town

Daniel Bentley is one of the best young English Keepers around at the moment. Despite never making an appearance for any of the England youth teams, behind young Stoke City keeper Jack Butland and Wigan keeper Lee Nicholls, he is probably the most promising young England keeper around. He played a massive part in Southend's promotion from League 2 last year, which was mainly down to his heroics in the penalty shootout of the play-off final against Wycombe, back in May. Bentley saved penalties from Matt Bloomfield and Sam Wood, one of which won the game and promotion for Southend, as it was a sudden death penalty. Bentley's great season was represented by the awards he received. He won Southend's supporter's player, player's player and community player of the year awards. He also won the Football League Young Player of the Month award in April and made the PFA League Two team of the year, alongside Southend teammate Ben Coker. 

In this summer transfer window, Bentley has been the subject of some heavy interest from teams all around the country, especially in the Championship. Southend received a £1,000,000 bid from Hull City, which was turned down by the club, then also received a bid from QPR, which was also turned down, however Bentley is still believed to be on QPR's radar, and they could be lining up another bid. He is also known to have been a potential summer transfer target for Premier League side West Ham United. He has also attracted keen interest from newly promoted Bristol City, and another Championship side, Leeds United.

So Bentley could be key to Southend's success this season. In my opinion they will need Bentley to achieve the mid-table finish that they are capable of, especially after signing Leyton Orient striker Dave Mooney, Ipswich Town midfielder Anthony Wordsworth and Ipswich Town striker Noel Hunt (Rumoured transfer target for the Spireites). Last season Bentley made a total of 42 League performances for Southend, out of a possible 46, and it is almost certain that he will be such a regular starter, and vital part of the team this season as well.