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Sometimes you have to fly the nest to fulfil your potential, which is exactly what our next entrant did. In the process, he’s earned himself a place in the top ten of Playmaker’s search for the 72 best players in the EFL this season.
Before we introduce our latest top performer, we'd like to quickly point out that 'Playmaker's 72' is not necessarily aimed at ID'ing the best footballers across the EFL - instead, it focuses on those who have enjoyed the best campaigns across the Championship, League One and League Two this season.
At Number 10 we welcome in the Welsh wing wizard of West London, it is Fulham's Harry Wilson...
“His shooting is world-class. Find me five players who shoot better than him, that is obvious.”
Jurgen Klopp has fairly regularly showered praise on Liverpool academy graduate Harry Wilson. The former Bournemouth, Cardiff and Derby loanee has shown signs of elite level technical ability and that has been recognised by his former boss on Merseyside. However, with every Klopp quote of praise, there is almost always the caveat:
“To be involved as an offensive player you have to connect with other players. He has that, it is not like he doesn’t, but to get to the next level, he needs game-time”.
Well, after a season helping Fulham dominate and pretty much eviscerate England’s second-tier, The Cottagers’ Welsh wing wizard may well have unlocked those other elements to his game.
That is VINTAGE Harry Wilson! 🤩
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 12, 2022
A stunning finish to break Barnsley hearts 💔 pic.twitter.com/m3UhLd60Xy
Prior to Wilson’s loan move to Cardiff City in the last season, the left-footed midfielder had managed just 12 assists in 145 senior first-team matches for Crewe, Liverpool, Hull, Derby and Bournemouth. However, in the last two seasons, he has earned 30 assists in just 80 matches for Cardiff and Fulham.
That difference is a clear sign of improvement and general effectiveness, efficiency and intelligence in his play – something that Klopp may well have been hinting at when he said he needs to ‘connect with other players’ – he's definitely making those connections now.
It may not have been an intended symbolic gesture but the symbolism of being given the number eight shirt at the start of the season, upon signing for Fulham, can not go unremarked upon.
Whilst he has still played as a winger for the Championship’s champions-elect, the now 25 year-old has been crucial in a fluent and constantly changing, alternating and moving Fulham attack – alongside the likes of Fabio Carvalho, Ivan Cavaleiro, Neeskens Kebano et al. all scheming behind the focal point of Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Wilson has described the 2021/22 campaign as his ‘most enjoyable season’ and was shortlisted for the Championship Player of the Season at the 2022 EFL Awards, alongside his aforementioned teammate Mitrovic and AFC Bournemouth’s star striker Dominic Solanke.
The Wrexham-born midfielder leads the way for assists in the Championship so far this season with 16. That takes his total direct goal contribution to the campaign to 26 – only four players have been involved in more goals so far this season.
In the Premier League, Wilson had a promising record with AFC Bournemouth. He scored seven goals from the wing, in a team that was relegated at the end of that season – despite only making 20 starts.
He will be hoping to combine that effectiveness in front of goal with his newfound ‘connectivity’ for Fulham next season as the Cottagers attempt to make the most of their promotion back to the top-flight – they have been relegated at the first attempt in each of the last two campaigns following a successful second-tier season.
Marco Silva’s side have averaged 60.6% possession in the Championship this season. Wilson has played a crucial role in the maintaining of the ball, as well as progressing their attacking play. Things will become a lot more difficult next season in the top-flight.
The last time Fulham were in the England’s first tier, they scored just 27 goals with their expected goals for (xG) at 41.06. This season, they have scored 99 goals with an xG of 83.1. It will be interesting to see how Wilson will thrive in an almost entirely different circumstance and situation to the one he has been so impressive in this season.
Any strong form will serve him well, too, as he builds up to the possibility of playing at a FIFA World Cup. Wales face a playoff against Ukraine or Scotland in June but if the Welsh were to qualify, Wilson would very likely be a part of the squad – and not just to make up the numbers.
Check out the articles for all of those featured so far...
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NameHarry Wilson Born/Age1997-03-22(27 -yrs-old) Nationality Wales England PositionForward (Right Wing) / Forward (Left Wing) | |
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