'Hungry' Tezgel keen to keep improving at Crewe

On-loan Crewe Alexandra striker Emre Tezgel says he is "hungry" for more goals and is determined to make the most of his breakthrough season with the League Two club.

The 20-year-old is with the Alex for the season from their Championship neighbours Stoke City, for whom Tezgel has already played 23 times in all competitions.

He also became the Potters' youngest ever first-team player when he came off the bench in an FA Cup tie against Leyton Orient aged 16, in January 2022.

This season with Crewe he has blossomed, scoring his 10th goal against Cambridge United last Saturday to move six clear of the next highest scorer for the club.

His four goals in the Vertu Trophy, including a hat-trick against Chesterfield, saw him named best player of the group stage - something Tezgel said was "a proud moment".

"It's been good to get some minutes and score some goals. As a striker you just want to hit the net and it was good to get the opportunity in the cup," Tezgel told BBC Radio Stoke

"I think I should have more and I'm obviously hungry to get more so, hopefully, I can keep going and keep scoring."

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Tezgel is earning rave reviews from the coaching staff at the Mornflake Stadium, with boss Lee Bell, and player development manager Kenny Lunt, singing his praises for his attitude and application.

And the young forward says the education he is receiving at Crewe is really helping his development.

"My running in behind and my movement is a massive part of my game that I needed to work on and it's got a lot better since I've been here," he said.

"10 goals at this stage is an achievement but I want to get more. I think I've improved and can continue to."

Tezgel says Stoke touch base with him regularly and hopes his parent club are happy with how his loan is going.

"I'd like to think so," Tezgel said.

"It's important for me not just to be happy with it now but to keep pushing myself to do more.

"Before I came, I felt like I had a bit of experience but now I feel a lot more comfortable, especially off the pitch speaking at meetings and talking about football.

"It's hard to get out of that 'academy prospect' [tag], you have to go out and prove yourself in the men's game and Crewe have given me a great opportunity to do that.

"I can still play better football and establish myself more."

Emre Tezgel was talking to BBC Radio Stoke's Graham McGarry and Phil Bowers.