'His head has been turned' - Chester's joint boss Anthony Johnson comments on Chesterfield's interest in full-back Joel Taylor

On Saturday we reported that we understand Chesterfield want to sign the 24-year-old left-back.

Taylor was left out of Chester’s matchday squad against York City and Johnson explained why after the game.

"He (Taylor) has had his head turned,” Johnson said. “There has been interest from a football club and they have turned his head.”

Johnson appeared to suggest that Taylor had told him he wanted to leave. “Do you want to play for that team? Do you want to Leave Chester? ‘I think so’ – okay, you don’t train, you don’t play for us.

"I get it, it is a higher league club, I understand, but if you are not fully focused on what we are trying to do then we won’t rely on you. Let’s see what happens over the next couple of days and go from there.

"The club has been dealing directly with me and the gaffer. The gaffer has been speaking to the manager of the other football club, and as you always get, silly buggers are being played. If you want to turn the lads’s head and ruin his career that’s fine but if you don’t want to play for us then you don’t want to play for us. You either sit in the stand or go out on loan somewhere."

When asked if they had received a bid for him, he added: "Not that I am aware of at this moment in time."

The attacking full-back won the Blues’ Player of the Year award in 2019/20 and was named in the National League North team of the season after making 38 appearances.

Taylor is said to be a fans’ favourite at the Deva Stadium for his high-energy and pacey displays going forward as well as his defensive ability.

According to Chester’s official club website, Taylor signed a new 18-month deal at the start of 2020.

If Taylor does make the move to the Spireites then he will link-up with his former Chester team-mate Akwasi Asante, 28, who was James Rowe’s first signing after being named manager last month.

Taylor, who started his career at Stoke City, signed for Chester in May 2019 from Kidderminster Harriers.