Wanderers duo score Scholes auditions at Salford

Western Sydney Wanderers products Rory Jordan and Mathieu Cordier will head this month to Paul Scholes-coached League Two glamour club Salford City for the chance to supercharge their futures.

Rory Jordan and Mathieu Cordier

Rory Jordan and Mathieu Cordier Source: Football NSW, Getty Images

The duo will trial for two weeks at the Lancashire outfit, who have risen from National League obscurity to EFL status thanks to the funding poured in by their famous owners - Manchester United Class of ‘92 legends Scholes, Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham, as well as Singaporean businessman Peter Lim.

There’s a pre-existing Australian connection at the Peninsula Stadium, with former Melbourne City coach Warren Joyce riding shotgun as interim assistant at the Ammies.

Wing-back Cordier, 21, - who has made three A-League appearances - has just parted company with the Wanderers, whilst highly-regarded academy winger Jordan, 20, is on amateur terms and also free to chase his dreams in England.

Recently-installed Wanderers assistant coach Patrick Zwaanswijk worked closely with Jordan as part of the club’s NPL side, and is an admirer of his budding attributes.

The youngster is scheduled to train with new boss Carl Robinson’s first team on Monday and has already attracted interest from Macarthur FC and Central Coast.

But the lure of landing in the orbit of Scholes and co. at a team sitting fourth in League Two is irresistible as the club look to swiftly move on from the surprise sacking of Graham Alexander.

“Rory’s a good kid - he’s one I’ve recommended for the senior team to have a look at, which I think will happen next week,” Zwaanswijk said.

“He can play left or right wing, or as a No.10, he’s very technical and his decision making is good.

“He’s very positive, he reads the game well and just needs to be able to play 90 minutes and maybe add a bit to the defensive side of his game.

“He’s working a lot on his end product and is a player that sets himself up really well to create opportunities.

“He’ll get better the more he plays - and as a young player he has a dream and he’s following that.

“The chance to go to England sounds like a dream come true but it’s only the start for him.

“He needs to train well, leave a good impression and ultimately he can build on that.

“It shows you don’t have to be playing A-League or be involved in a national team program to get these chances.”

Referring to Cordier - who will join Jordan on the flight to Manchester - Zwaanswijk said: “He’s a strong left wing-back who gets up and down and has a good delivery.

“I’m not sure what his strongest position will end up being in terms of being part of a back four, playing with a back three or maybe even as a winger.”


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3 min read
Published 17 October 2020 3:44pm
By Dave Lewis


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