Will Hughes

[Sarb]

I hope so too Shaggy. I've just checked and it's true that he is following both of them. hmmmm wonder how our muslim players such as Toure will feel about that.

He's probably following them for a laugh. I think I followed for a bit when they had their Birmingham march and they had stuff on Sikhs being part of their group.

[SB]

Liverpool have recently come calling, but honestly, I could see the Derby County talent at Barcelona. Here's why the young midfielder is so special...





Will Hughes: A Derby Fan On Liverpool’s Next Great Attacking Midfielder…

Will Hughes takes little spotting on the pitch. He stands out with his blonde hair as you would expect. You can use the word ‘shock’ if you like. He’s got hair that stands out on the football pitch like Robbie Savage or Jason Roberts used to do. He wears bright boots (but then again don’t all footballers these days?) but the days of plain black unless you were a real star (step forward Alan Hinton and Alan Ball) are long, distant memories…

So Will stands out on the pitch. Big deal. Anyone can have a noticeable haircut or an attitude that scream for attention. Anyone can wear neon footwear. Being noticed is the easy bit, and Will has it easier than most. The difference is when the game starts.
That’s when you notice him. He finds space. He shows for a pass. He takes a battering and doesn’t shirk challenges. He’s slight but wiry. A bit like a terrier but with the grace of a greyhound. He’s good with the ball at his feet. He can do things in a Messi style. He can deliver a dead ball. He can spot a pass that no one else sees.
He’s the best prospect I’ve seen in a Derby shirt…

He’s only 17… But we’ve had a few prospects over the years going back to Steve Powell as a 16 year old in 1971. Not that I saw his debut. I was a mere 6 years old. But Steve was the benchmark for all future Rams prospects. We’ve had a smattering over the years between the Great Days and the Good Days. Players like Kevin Wilson, Lee Carsley, Paul Williams, Steve Cherry. We had players on our books that went elsewhere to build careers. Oh yes, we had a few over the years but since the Academy was established we’ve had a fair number over the past 10 years or so.
And none of them are as exciting as Will Hughes.
In more recent times we’ve seen a number of kids come through. Tom Huddlestone, Lee Holmes, Giles Barnes, Miles Addison, Lee Grant, Lee Camp.
Some we sold too early. Some we let go too cheaply. Some never fulfilled their promise. Some got injured, some left for personal reasons. That’s the way of football. Tom Huddlestone was a man mountain at 16. He was noticed and went to Spurs for pennies. Or so it felt.
Giles was tall and flamboyant. Loads of talent ruined by injury. There was bitterness in the end.
Miles was another big kid. A Ram amongst Rams. But he didn’t quite develop as expected and so he went. Others like Grant, Camp and Evatt have had good, solid careers after Derby. That’s the way of it.
But this team has youth all over the place. Some bought in, some home grown. Mark O’Brian and Jeff Hendrick are two fine talents. Add in Michael Jacobs, Kieron Freeman, Mason Bennett and we have a lot of kids coming through.
But Will stands out. Comparisons with Brady as a kid aren’t far-fetched. I saw Liam as a kid and he was exceptional. He’s been compared to Scholes. Again, the comparison isn’t outrageous. He has talent in abundance and he is a smart, level-headed kid by all accounts. Nigel Clough says he can achieve anything he wants. I believe him.
I have two fears. One is he gets injured. It’s a risk all kids face and he gets a fair amount of robust challenges. The second is a profound desire to see him move on (as he will unless we do a 1970 season again) to a club who deserve him, respect him and allow him to develop. Somewhere that kids get better.
Barcelona, pick up the phone. But make sure there’s money in the bank because this kid can be anything, do anything and whoever buys him, even at £15million plus add-ons, will have a bargain.

[lickedlollipop]

Never heard of that guy. but he'll end at spurs anyway

[Sarb]

Never heard of that guy. but he'll end at spurs anyway

If LFC go in for him, he'll come here. He isn't a fake LFC fan. This guy wants to play for us

[marcus50bucks]

If LFC go in for him, he'll come here. He isn't a fake LFC fan. This guy wants to play for us

[calvoboy]

As I put elsewhere, I'd love us to sign him. He looks like a top top prospect, and I doubt we'd be in the running once he's had another season showing what he can do in the Championship, as all the top clubs would be in for him. He's got that touch of class about him that all great players have where he seems to have more time than anyone else on the pitch.

If it were me, I'd definitely sign him now if he's available for £5-6m up front and give him back to Derby for the season, which is what the Independent seems to be suggesting.

[Sarb]

As I put elsewhere, I'd love us to sign him. He looks like a top top prospect, and I doubt we'd be in the running once he's had another season showing what he can do in the Championship, as all the top clubs would be in for him. He's got that touch of class about him that all great players have where he seems to have more time than anyone else on the pitch.

If it were me, I'd definitely sign him now if he's available for £5-6m up front and give him back to Derby for the season, which is what the Independent seems to be suggesting.

Can't emphasise enough how good this kid is. He is the real deal

[marcus50bucks]

He's probably following them for a laugh. I think I followed for a bit when they had their Birmingham march and they had stuff on Sikhs being part of their group.

I think someones had a word because he is no longer following them.

[Sarb]

I think someones had a word because he is no longer following them.

He's a quick learner

[marcus50bucks]

He's a quick learner

In all honesty I wouldn't be surprised if our club have a word about it with him just to find out what the deal is with him because I don't think you can just brush this under the carpet.

[Sarb]

In all honesty I wouldn't be surprised if our club have a word about it with him just to find out what the deal is with him because I don't think you can just brush this under the carpet.

Exactly mate. It needs looking at. It is a pretty big issue and if he's genuinely following them then it will be an even bigger one

[Slinky Skills]

If we sign him can we change his name Willian Hughes just to make up for not signing the real Willian?

[marcus50bucks]

Exactly mate. It needs looking at. It is a pretty big issue and if he's genuinely following them then it will be an even bigger one

I don't want to judge him but have you seen his responses on twitter. He seems a bit naive by saying he followed them to see what they were about but didn't agree with their views so decided to unfollow. I don't believe that one bit. As if he's never heard of edl and what they represent

[Sarb]

If we sign him can we change his name Willian Hughes just to make up for not signing the real Willian?

[Sarb]

I don't want to judge him but have you seen his responses on twitter. He seems a bit naive by saying he followed them to see what they were about but didn't agree with their views so decided to unfollow. I don't believe that one bit, as if he's never heard of edl and what they represent

I've not seen that.

Let me have a look