MARK PITMAN The controversial decision by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to entrust their FA Cup run with the U23 squad has promoted young Neco Williams to national attention.
However, Brooks withdrew from the squad, and minutes later it was confirmed that he would represent England in the competition instead.
It was a tough decision for Wales U21 manager at the time Rob Page to accept, but rather Born in Wrexham, the talented than enter into a public spat, defender will be hopeful of Brooks was told that he would earning his first full international be welcomed back to the cap for Wales before his Welsh fold if that was his birthday. A key member of the preferred choice. Brooks was Wales U19 squad, Williams was named player of the pivotal in the team qualifying for tournament for England, but on the UEFA Elite Round of fixtures, his return, committed his but he is more likely to find international future to Wales. himself working under Giggs as An exciting, attacking talent, the senior side take on Austria Page became aware of Brooks and the US as preparations for and his eligibility for Wales as he EURO 2020 continue. was coming through the youth But his recent performances for ranks of Sheffield United. Then Liverpool, both domestically and manager of Wales, Coleman in the UEFA Youth League, have and Page went to Sheffield to brought him to the attention of meet with the young star, and England, and reports suggest outlined their long-term plan for that manager Gareth Southgate him in the Wales team. is planning to make Williams Although he was only starting to part of his future plans. In the make an impression at Sheffield past, such a suggestion would United, Coleman and Page were be a major concern for Wales, keen to invest in him and ensure but there is no longer any reason to fear the advances of he understood what his role would be with Wales in the England when it comes to the coming years, based on his future of our young stars. potential and his progression. Williams was raised in Wrexham, How England reacted to Brooks and has a passion for decision to return to Wales after representing Wales. Working the Toulon Tournament would be under Paul Bodin, Rob Edwards interesting to know, and it is and Rob Page in the unlikely to have been as intermediate squads, Williams understanding as Wales has been nurtured through the reacted to his initial decision to Welsh football pathway, and withdraw from the squad. there is no doubt that he will be Although Williams’ opportunities an important player for Wales at Liverpool are likely to be over the course of the next limited as he finds himself in decade at least. direct competition with Trent A similar situation occurred in Alexander-Arnold for the right2017 when David Brooks was back position, he has shown called into the Wales squad for enough maturity to suggest he the Toulon Tournament. his ready for a loan move, and
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that would further enhance his chances of making Ryan Giggs’ EURO 2020 squad. He is versatile enough to also play on left, and he could even force a shift at Anfield by pushing Alexander-Arnold into a more attacking position with Williams slotting in behind. It would mirror the move that changed the direction of Gareth Bale’s career at Tottenham Hotspur, and there is no doubt that AlexanderArnold has the attacking and creative ability to establish himself in a more forward role in Klopp’s team. Including Williams in the EURO 2020 squad would be a bold decision by Giggs, but he has shown throughout his tenure with Wales that he has no concern in giving young players their chance in his side. He will be more than aware of the potential that Williams has, and he will be keen to test him in the upcoming friendlies as he looks to confirm the final names for his squad. England lost a talented youngster to Wales in Brooks, but Williams appears set to take his first steps with Wales at senior level, and the carrot of a place at EURO 2020 could be the deciding factor if his mind is currently in any sort of doubt.
