LUKE WOOLFENDEN

CLUB: IPSWICH POSITION: CENTRAL DEFENDER AGE: 21 VALUE: £3m

WHAT HAS HE GOT?

RETURNING to my past files, I noticed a report from 18 months ago on a young centre back who was attracting plenty of attention while playing for Ipswich. He appeared to make little progress thereafter and moved on loan to Swindon, but he has since returned to his parent club and is doing well. In that report I wrote he was a tall and well-built centre back playing in a four-man defence. It seemed as though he could establish himself in the side. He looked a prospect. He showed maturity that day, marking the opposition striker and coping with his sharp movements. He read the play well, he had a height advantage in aerial duels and he easily repelled any straight ball down the middle. Well protected by his more experienced centre back partner, he never seemed to have a problem as his team dominated possession. I would want to see how he fared under more pressure but on this evidence his defensive work is more than adequate. In possession he played sensibly, giving the ball early with forward passes to his midfield and front men. When his right back was taking a throw-in in the middle third, he provided depth by dropping back 20 yards to take the ball.

WHAT DOES HE NEED?

WOOLFENDEN’S pace over short and longer distances were similar to his opponent, but he did not look electric.

He was guilty of attempting crossfield balls from right to left with too much height, giving the opposition right back too much time to come out on the cover and read the pass. That did not deter him, though. It was his favourite pass and he later succeeded with a sweeter, faster ball that had a lower trajectory. He has a good stature and communicated well with his defensive colleagues, particularly as the game progressed. He felt more comfortable with an opponent who did not trouble him. If he keeps things simple and concentrates on his defensive duties, he has a bright future.