You're probably right, although he's starting to look like a once in a generation talent, so careful but progressive development is paramount. Want this lad to say around
Ali Gold is claiming that Williams-Barnett has agreed terms on his first pro contract. He'll sign it on his 17th birthday, which is on Wednesday. Looks like a massive prospect, so that's great news if it's true.
The U19s won 6-0 in Bodo, despite leaving three of the biggest prospects out of the starting XI. Goals from Olusesi, Byrne and Rowswell made it 3-0 at the break. Olusesi scored again in the second half, then Thompson and Elliott-Paris added more late on. That result puts us in 1st place currently with +8 goal difference. I believe it's six games in this stage and then it splits from the main competition and is a knock-out.
The U21s won 4-1 in Newcastle yesterday. Our goals were scored by Williams-Barnett (x2), Scarlett and Thompson.
Williams Barnett got both in a 2-2 draw including a clever free kick. He must be getting more time in and around the first team.
I think that he needs to play more often for the U21s first. They've been using him in a deeper role, for some reason.
Likely to toughen him up and/or tweak his decision making We've seen this a few times under various managers shifting academy players into different positions so they have to work on different attributes. Alfie Devine was shifted between CM, AM and DM at various times IIRC