Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Manning is keen to see Williams stay at City
LIAM Manning knows that Joe Williams will have interest from elsewhere in the Sky Bet Championship as his current Bristol City contract comes to an end – but is confident the midfielder feels he is in the best place to continue his career.
Williams is one of four first-team players out of contract at the end of June, but has been offered fresh terms after a campaign in which the 27-year-old has produced his best form over four seasons for the Robins.
The former Everton academy product has made 44 appearances, 34 as a starter, with his 2,930 overall minutes the most he’s made since the 2019/20 season with Wigan, bringing his usual tenacity with added craft to the City midfield, and consistency standing out, particularly since boss Manning took over in November. Williams has previously expressed a desire to stay in BS3, having first arrived at the club for £1.25 million from Wigan in 2020, but that is not to say the Robins’ offer will be the only one on the table, as Manning is well aware.
“When you look at it, you only have to see how he’s performing,” Manning said. “I think anyone performing to that level will have interest and demand but, sitting with Joe, he’s quite clear in terms of he knows how he gets treated, how he gets coached and he sees what we’re trying to do. At the minute I think it’s a good place for him.”
Williams seems to be firmly over the injury issues which dogged his first two seasons at the club and given his age, the form he has shown, his stock will arguably never be higher as the end of the season approaches.
In the Championship free agent market, there will not be too many midfielders of his quality and experience available, and while City may consider themselves in the box seat, Williams has every right to test the market.
Echoing a similar message to the one he delivered when asked about contract talks with Tommy Conway, Manning believes Ashton Gate is the best destination for Williams to continue progressing.
“I have to say, I don’t massively get involved in those conversations,” Manning added. “I speak with the players, and I’m honest with the players in terms of what I think and where I’m at, and I spoke about Tommy at the weekend.
“Joe’s done really well. He had a bit of a slow start here with the volume of games, but if you look at how he’s performed to a good level, he’s still in his peak years, really.
“He’s still of an age and still has a point to prove at this level and he’s started to show that in games where he’s brought moments of quality. We want him to stay.”
City conclude their Championship season at Stoke today.