Welsh football players. - Young guns

FACE OF THE FUTURE – The Football Paper January 28^th 2007

Bristol City Defender James Wilson

Bristol City’s academy manager John Clayton believes the most important attributes for a centre half are athletic ability, physical presence and good heading ability. In James Wilson he has a young player who fulfils all of the criteria. Wilson joined Bristol City as a seven year old and Clayton has watched him progress through the ranks to the verge of the first team. A career in international football also beckons, with Wilson currently captaining the Wales Under-19 side. “He has done fantastically well over the last two years,” said Clayton. “We were never sure about his position when he was coming through, as James used to play just about everywhere. But he is definitely a defender now, probably a centre-half, but he can also play right-back. “The thing about James is he is a great athlete. He is so quick and centre-forwards just cannot get away from him. The other attribute he has is that he is tall and very strong in the air. But he is also a good footballer with great passing ability and can score goals.“He has a good attitude and is a real hard worker. James wants to stay in the afternoons and work on his game.”

Wilson has already signed a professional contract with Bristol City and Clayton believes his young charge has the potential to go all the way to the top. He added “I think he can play at the highest level. If you look at the Premier League and players like Thierry Henry, Rio Ferdinand and Patrick Vieira, when he was at Arsenal, they are all six foot plus, they are all quick and they can all play. I think James has all of those attributes and we are just keeping our fingers crossed that he will develop.”It’s hard to pick another player that he is similar to but I suppose given his speed and his physique he is quite similar to Michael Dawson.”

Clayton believes Wilson is at the right place at this stage of his career, despite plenty of clubs showing interest in the player. “Every time he plays there are scouts watching him,” added Clayton. “We have sold quite a few of our young players on, but we want to see him playing in our first team. “I don’t think he could be at a better club at the moment. We have a good youth team set-up and we have a manager that will them a chance in the first team if he thinks they are good enough. “Over the last five years there have been a very good percentage of our players that have got into the first-team. The likes of David Cotterill, Leroy Lita and Liam Rosenior have all come through the ranks at this club to play in the Premiership.“James has been involved in the first team squad, although he has not made it into the first team yet. He trains with them two or three times a week and I believe the manager has been pleased with him. “If we get to the end of the season and have won promotion then the manager might give a chance to some of the young boys.”

Wilson’s agent Gethin Evans of G2 Sports Management Group said ‘James Wilson has all the attributes to play at any level he wishes. Over the past three years we have seen him develop as a player and as a man. He is a very level headed young man and has a great family background, so will keep working hard to achieve his ambitions in football.”