Why Joe Williams could be the player to stabilise Bristol City
According to reports from Bristol Live, Everton midfielder Joe Williams, currently on loan at Championship relegation-battlers Bolton Wanderers, was the subject of some winter interest from 6th-placed Bristol City as they looked to strengthen their bid for promotion.
Bristol City have looked like a side with Premier League football strictly on the agenda for next season. They have even taken control of the all-important 6th spot after Derby County slipped up and dropped points against Preston North End.
Currently above the Rams by the virtue of goal difference, Lee Johnson’s men might have been looking for players to aid their promotion push by providing something different to the team and take the performances up to the next level.
To their credit, they have been defensively sound this season, with only 29 goals conceded so far. Only Middlesbrough have conceded fewer goals and while this is the case, the scoring rate needs to improve.
Having scored only 38 goals in 29 games, Johnson would’ve been crying out for a creative player who can add a certain degree of excitement to this talented team and would be able to really gel all the members together.
The man they have identified to come in and do the job is highly-rated Everton prospect Joe Williams, who is currently on loan fighting for safety with Bolton Wanderers. His abilities are unquestionable and that is why Bristol should ensure that they sign their man irrespective of whether they gain promotion or not.
He is an English midfield destroyer who began his career at Everton as an 8-year-old. He has been at the Toffees’ academy since and has actually developed into quite a talented player.
Fast, agile and extremely sharp with his movements, he likes to play as a lone anchor in the middle of the park and can be the perfect link between the attack and the defence.
While his eye for a pass and range of vision are both commendable, his main trait is his ability to win challenges in the midfield. He is an adept tackler who excels at tackling and almost never gives fouls away.
He breaks up the play innumerable times and could be a great addition to an already stubborn Bristol side. He has played 19 times in the league for Bolton this season, which means that he also has enough experience at this level to really prosper. This is a no-brainer of a move for Bristol and they must sign Joe in the summer without fail.