Rhys Williams on EPL interest and establishing his international status

There is an assured nature about Rhys Williams. A million miles away from arrogance, but a conviction in his talent that suggests the Perth-born youngster is destined for great things. In fact, it is at this point that FourFourTwo would like to make a prediction: Rhys Williams will captain the Socceroos one day. Not in a meaningless friendly when the captain goes off and tosses the nearest player his armband. Williams will be an established captain, maybe leading the team out at the opening game of Russia 2018.

You could dismiss this prediction as hyperbole – a biased magazine throwing additional pressure on a youngster with just five caps and a wealth of knowledge still to be learned. But our claim is not without evidence. Despite injury robbing Williams of a World Cup bow in South Africa, he recovered from that set-back to impress in a range of positions for his English Championship club Middlesbrough last season.

His current coach, Tony Mowbray, a hugely respected mentor who plays an attractive style of football described Williams as a “Rolls Royce” of a player last season. We could not agree more – there is a class and composure around Williams that more suitably befits a seasoned pro who has proved their worth. The youthful over-exuberance which borders on a headless chicken is nowhere to be seen. Despite his age, Williams is already one of the most composed Socceroos on the pitch.

 Recently, there has been EPL interest from another hugely talented coach in Bolton’s Owen Coyle, who has taken a look at Williams and is reportedly keen to recruit the Aussie. Mowbray has stood firm, insisting that Williams is staying put as they attempt promotion to the EPL. Socceroo coach Holger Osieck makes it a trio of dugout admirers.  “I like Rhys very much,” said the German in June. “He is so versatile, he can play centre-half, he can play holding midfield. Rhys is an excellent boy. He has a lot to offer.”

There is no doubt Williams can play, in a variety of positions too, and is highly rated by some excellent coaches. But that is not enough to claim future Socceroo captain status. FourFourTwo have met Williams twice now and each time been impressed by his calm, collected and intelligent approach. He is also hugely marketable, as our pictures attest. Combine all these factors and we might have found our next Socceroos captain.

We met Williams in the Intercontinental Hotel in Melbourne recently to discuss the heartbreak of missing the World Cup in South Africa, his return to the pitch with Middlesbrough, EPL interest and his hopes of establishing a regular place in the Socceroos.

Last year you missed the World Cup due to an injury. How disappointing was that and how is the injury now?
It was a nightmare to be honest! It was like a horror film the way I felt after that. Words can’t describe how bad it felt after being told I wasn’t in the squad, but I had tried my hardest to make the squad. It was all I could really think about at the time. It really was horrible.

Was it a fair call though?
It definitely was, yes. I wouldn’t want to play for my country if I couldn’t give it one hundred and ten percent. I was struggling and was nowhere near my maximum at all. I couldn’t run without pain and I couldn’t pass without pain, so it might have been a blessing in disguise that the injury flared up as much as it did so I didn’t disappoint people.

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