Premier League veteran gives verdict on midfielder’s move
Matt Oakley was never in doubt that former teammate Matt Grimes had the potential to step up to the top tier of English football.Oakley, who played for over a decade in the Premier League with Southampton after coming through the Saints’ academy, was Grimes’ midfield partner on the afternoon that he made his debut against AFC Wimbledon at the start of last season.
That afternoon, Oakley was aged 36, and Grimes just 18. Just 18 months on, the teenager has himself reached the top-flight after agreeing to move to Swansea City.
And Oakley had always seen the potential in his young colleague – both in his footballing ability and in his attitude and mentality.