Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has revealed that his player in Anis Mehmeti has ‘gone through a lot’ before he signed for the Chairboys.

The 21-year-old Albanian under 21 international signed for the club in the autumn of 2020 following a successful trial.

However, after just two-and-a-half weeks in the development squad, he was promoted to the Wanderers first-team, where he has since played 76 games and has scored 14 times.

This includes four strikes in seven league outings this season.

Speaking to the press ahead of the Chairboys’ home match against Port Vale on September 10, Ainsworth said: “Anis and his agent are down-to-earth people and he has been through a lot.

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“He has had a few releases and has had a few people not believing in him, but we knows he is at a place where people believe in him.

“I believe in him, big time.

“I think too many people look at faults in players and focus on that rather than looking at their strengths and what they offer you.”

“And I am really positive and focused on what you have and make them stronger.

“I had one of the worst left-foots in professional football, honestly.

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“But my right was decent, and I focused on that.

“Managers would focus on my pace and right foot and it helped me score goals, but they didn’t let me go because I couldn’t use my left foot.”

Prior to joining Wanderers, Mehmeti was on the books at Woodford Town, who play their trade in the Essex Senior League.

He played 14 times and scored twice during the 2019/20 season, which was his first campaign as a squad member for a first-time side.

His move to the Non League came after he was released by three professional outfits in Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, and Norwich City.

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Ainsworth continued: “I think there is this element where you have to be this total/perfect player.

“That is rubbish, especially at this level.

“The top levels? Of course, but Anis has shown that with a bit of believe, he will work his socks off to be that top, top player and at the moment, we have got that top, top player.”

Mehmeti signed a new and improved contract with Wycombe in November 2021, which will keep him at Adams Park until the summer of 2024.