MIDDLESBROUGH boss Tony Mowbray has hailed utility man Rhys Williams and says there should be more like him in football.
The Australian international is set to feature for Boro in this evening’s Championship clash against Watford at the Riverside – but where he will play only Mowbray knows.
Williams is the classic footballing ‘Jack-of-all-trades’ who is able to play in a variety of positions – defensive midfield, attacking midfield, centre-half and even right-back being in his repertoire.
For Mowbray, the ability to switch and adapt to new positions is a valuable component of a footballer’s make-up – especially when injuries and suspensions kick in, and players like Williams can step in without too much disruption to the team.
In Manchester United’s Champions League win over Otelul Galati on Wednesday, Wayne Rooney moved back into midfield and, like Williams for Boro, still turned out an impressive display.
And what’s good enough for the current Premier League champions is, in Mowbray’s mind, good enough for Middlesbrough.
He said: “That’s the positive of having players like Rhys Williams, he has the versatility to play anywhere.
“Wayne Rooney played centre midfield and did very well.
“Sir Alex Ferguson was being asked afterwards if they had found the next Paul Scholes, but what about Wayne Rooney the goalscorer who has just been nominated for the Ballon d’Or? You need versatility at any club.
“In my mind, Rhys Williams can be a top-class centre-half as he develops, but for the moment I’m delighted that we have him and his talents and he can play wherever we need him to.
“He’s got the quality to play in defence and midfield.
“Rhys has the attributes to play where we want him to play, he plays right-back for his national team, or centre-back or midfield for us.
“He has awareness and mobility. For the majority of this season he’s been at the back but he can make an impact in midfield. We’ll decide when everybody’s fit where to use him, and where best it is to use Rhys.
“He could be best utilised in midfield but I need to take that decision week by week. He could be the best midfielder in the world, but if he’s doing a job at the back and we’re winning it doesn’t really matter.”
