Arsenal news may allow Port Vale to reunite Darren Moore with former favourite: View | OneFootball

Port Vale are desperate for a new striker to aid their hopes of a return to League One at the first time of asking and may well turn to a frontman who has worked with boss Darren Moore twice before.

Tyreece John-Jules, still only 23 years old, has just been released by Premier League giants Arsenal and could be the ideal free transfer signing to boost the Burslem club.

Moore recruited the youngster on loan when he was boss at both Doncaster Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday, and has spoken in glowing terms about the London-born striker on numerous occasions.

Tyreece John-Jules and Darren Moore have history

Moore first recruited a 19-year-old John-Jules when he was boss of Doncaster Rovers at the beginning of the 2020-21 season. The youngster had previously been on loan Lincoln City but in a story that would become all too familiar, had his spell cut short when he suffered a fractured bone in his foot.

It was a shame for the striker, who had scored once in his first seven senior appearances, but he hit further success on joining Moore at Doncaster the following campaign, netting five times in 18 games, including winning goal of the month.

The season was marred with recurring muscle injuries, but despite the lay-offs John-Jules impressed in League One and joined Championship club Blackpool the following year.

However, more injuries meant he struggled to break into the team, making just eight starts before his loan was curtailed in January.

And it was former manager Moore who came to his rescue, signing him on loan for Sheffield Wednesday in League One, but more injury heartbreak soon followed.

Injury woe a recurring nightmare for John-Jules

John-Jules managed just 18 minutes of football for the Owls, injuring his quad after making his debut in January, and within a week was back at parent club Arsenal.

It was heartbreaking for the striker, who has two England under-21 caps to his name but has constantly struggled with unfortunate and untimely injuries.

However, it didn't stop Moore praising him when the pair crossed paths again in 2022. John-Jules had by then joined Ipswich Town on loan, who were pushing for promotion to the Championship, while Moore was embarking on another campaign at Hillsborough.

“I have the utmost respect for Tyreece,” Moore told The Star. “He’s someone that I know really, really well. The player that he is, he’s tremendous. Good off both feet, he sees the game and he moves well. He carries a goal threat and can play in a number of different positions.

“He’s someone with wonderful versatility in the attacking areas and I’m really pleased number one to see him back fit and playing football and number two, managing to secure himself another wonderful loan move.”

And the striker got off to a consistent start for the Tractor Boys - scoring 3 times in 17 games before another serious injury, this time a hamstring tear, meant his season finished in January once again.

Last season saw John-Jules on yet another loan, this time at Derby County in League One, but he failed to make it past January without another season-ending injury.

Ironically, the forward's best moment of the season came at Vale Park, where he scored the only goal of the game with his first touch to give the Rams all three points.

Following news of the severe injury, Derby boss Paul Warne gave an insight into how the recurrent problems were affecting John-Jules, telling the Derby Telegraph: "He has been training really well, he's been living perfectly, he has done all the work that he needed to do and he was starting to believe in his body.

"He's been unbelievable in training and is such a popular member of the group. If you speak to him, he is so humble as a kid, he's lovely. For him to go through that is heartbreaking. I am devastated for the kid. It's one of those injuries that will take a bit of time to come back from. When you talk to him, you can see how much it is worrying him.

"He was in a good place where he thought he could play a massive part in our run-in. It's a massive blow for him let alone for the club and everybody else. From his point of view, it has absolutely destroyed him."

Warne's comments highlight the admirable attitude and determination that John-Jules has consistently shown in the face of repeated injury issues.

Strong relationship between Moore and John-Jules could lead to Vale move

While record under him is decent but certainly not groundbreaking, John-Jules has previously spoken in glowing terms about Vale boss Moore.

Speaking to The Beautiful Game Podcast, he said: "When a manager believes in you, it takes the weight off your shoulders. When he knows what you can do and keeps playing you, say you have a bad game, some managers would take you out and play the next striker, but if the manager believes in you he will give you another chance and keep working with you on the training pitch.

"Especially as a striker, that's everything. I think the trust, the trust is everything in helping you be positive when you're on the field...but if you miss he's (Moore) always there saying "come on keep going," so I really appreciate Darren for that. He's always been in my corner."

Whether John-Jules' injury record would be preventative of a move to Vale Park, or whether Moore can convince the Vale hierarchy that there is a chance they could sign a player who grew up in the same youth teams as Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah for nothing, remains to be seen.

But one thing is sure, both men have a mutual respect for each other, so a move to Staffordshire isn't out of the question.

Vale may be competing with teams higher up the pyramid but the news of John-Jules' Arsenal exit offers them a chance to snap up one of Moore's former favourites to boost his striking options.