From Graham Thomas
in Dinard
Wales boss Chris Coleman believes Jonny Williams can be his Marcus Rashford and worry Euro 2016 opposition with a fear of the unknown.
Manchester United striker Rashford is being taken to the tournament as England’s prototype – a testbed teenager who could be thrust forward if established models fail to perform.
Coleman reckons Williams – who was one of the few bright spots in the 3-0 friendly defeat to Sweden on Sunday – has the same potential, even though the Crystal Palace midfielder already has 11 caps and at 22 is four years older than Rashford.
“Unfortunately, for the rest of us, Rashford’s potential is really an unknown,” admitted Coleman, who could yet face the youngest player to score on his Three Lions debut when the countries meet in Lens on June 16.
“But he is already playing for Manchester United. Whatever age you are, if you’re playing for Manchester United and you’re the striker, then you’ve got to be good.
“With us, we have Jonny Williams who’s not really that new but he still brings a freshness, and a boyishness to the squad.
“He is still very young and he goes onto the pitch with a smile on his face. He runs around like it’s Christmas morning and he always seems to be happy.
“He has that spirit about him that he’s just delighted to be around everyone else and it’s a genuine excitement for him.”
After injuries stalled his progress at Palace, Williams spent last season on loan in the Championship at Nottingham Forest and MK Dons.
Like Rashford – an option for Roy Hodgson if Harry Kane or Jamie Vardy should stumble – Williams is unlikely to start the tournament but he could be unleashed if Coleman feels Wales lack a creative spark.
“The target for Jonny was just to play first team football. His ability was not in question. He needed to be game-hardened.
“Ability-wise, there’s no question over Jonny. It’s about getting his body ready. But, he had a good week in Portugal and he’s buzzing.”
As a former Palace player Coleman has been able to offer guidance to Williams and he believes his former Wales teammate Ryan Giggs has supplied similar mentoring for Rashford at Old Trafford.
“The way Rashford comes across, it’s impressive for a young man. I am not surprised because I know Giggsy very well and he was put in that same position at that age for United.
“Being in the spotlight for United, it needs guidance to cope with that and I’m sure Giggsy will have been providing that. Rashford has been very impressive, both on and off the pitch.
“We had some guys when I played for Wales – we used to call them ‘midweek internationals’ – who would train brilliantly. But, when the game came around and the spotlight was on them, they couldn’t deliver.
“Sometimes, with young players, they don’t have that fear. They are almost like the very top players. They can just produce when it’s needed because they don’t feel the anxiety.
“They don’t worry about making mistakes, because they just think they won’t make mistakes and things will be fine. Bring it on, they think.”
Since Wales completed their qualifying fixtures last autumn, they have played four friendly matches, three of which have ended in defeat with one draw.
The hammering in Stockholm was Coleman’s heaviest loss since September 2013. But Williams insists it was a blow Wales will recover quickly from once the action starts for real on Saturday against Slovakia.
The Palace player said: “They’re a top team with one of the best players in the world, in Zlaten Ibrahimovic, playing for them.
“They were smart, there were a few fouls they know they won’t get away with from next week on.
“We’re obviously disappointed with the result. In a way it’s good because it’s given us a kick up the backside. But we’ll be a lot better next week.”
