MAHLON ROMEO

AGE: 22 CLUB: MILLWALL POSITION: DEFENDER VALUE: £400,000 2017-18 APPS: 13 GOALS: 1

WHAT HAS HE GOT?

MILLWALL took this young full back from Gillingham a couple of seasons ago. Having been released by Arsenal before that, he is now resurrecting his career. At 22, he is showing improvement with experience and his manager Neil Harris gave him a contract extension last June. Championship football is a good test for him. Unmistakable in his green boots when I saw him last, Romeo (below) immediately attracted attention as he made a splendid recovery tackle on the edge of his 18-yard box. He looks quietly confident and certainly knows his responsibility in terms of defensive positions. Playing in a back four, I liked the way he picked his moment to support forward moves from the defensive third. He kept his winger quiet and his opponent was subsequently substituted. He is 5ft 10 and has fair pace. He showed determination and average power. At this stage he looks like a ‘Steady Eddie’ with a good attitude.

WHAT DOES HE NEED?

HIS use of the ball was average on a day when his side lacked rhythm and he did not have a dominant midfielder to accept and receive passes infield. When he became the ‘man over’ on the outside he did cross early and accurately. He could perhaps work on his left foot but when he tucked inside on the right of his centre back, he covered well. He has improved on when I saw him previously and it is clear that with more games against Championship players he has got better. Assuming he works hard and learns, he could eventually prove a canny signing. They used to like tough full backs at The Den and now at Cold Blow Lane they are more sophisticated. In Romeo, they have a capable full back who is still young.