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Will Hughes

William James Hughes (born 17 April 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Crystal Palace.

Will Hughes
Hughes with Derby County in 2011
Personal information
Full name William James Hughes[1]
Date of birth (1995-04-17) 17 April 1995 (age 29)[2]
Place of birth Weybridge, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[3]
Position(s) Central midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Crystal Palace
Number 19
Youth career
2007–2011 Mickleover Jubilee
2011 Derby County
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2017 Derby County 165 (9)
2017–2021 Watford 107 (7)
2021– Crystal Palace 83 (1)
International career
2012 England U17 6 (1)
2012–2017 England U21 23 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23 November 2024 (UTC)

Having graduated a scholarship with Derby County,[4] Hughes made his first team breakthrough during the 2012–13 season;[5] his performances resulted in him earning attraction from multiple clubs across Europe.[6] Hughes made his move to the Premier League with Watford in 2017,[7] helping the Hornets reach the FA Cup final in 2019 and maintain top-flight football for three seasons.[8][9] Following Watford's relegation in 2020, Hughes played a central role in their promotion campaign the following season.[10]

Early life

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Born in Weybridge, Surrey,[11] Hughes moved to Derby at the age of two.[4][5] Hughes was first educated at St Peter's Junior school and then Repton School for secondary school in Derbyshire, where he was a boarder attending on a sports scholarship.[5][12] Growing up, Hughes also played cricket and tennis. He played for Repton's football team, reaching the final of the Independent Schools Football Association Under-15 Cup in 2010, where he scored the first goal in a 3–1 extra-time defeat to Brentwood.[12][13] Having briefly been on the books of Nottingham Forest, Hughes played for local side Mickleover Jubilee, before leaving Repton to sign for Derby County as a first-year scholar in the summer of 2011.[4][5][12] While at Derby he completed A-Levels in politics and business with the help of tutors.[12]

Club career

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Derby County

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Hughes made his debut for the club's reserve team as a 70th minute substitute in a 6–1 Central League win over Walsall on 22 September 2011[14] and made two additional appearances in the Central League Cup. It was his "outstanding"[15] performance in a 1–0 win over Port Vale reserves in the competition on 1 November which brought him to manager Nigel Clough's attention for possible inclusion in the Derby first-team squad against Peterborough United four days later.[4]

Hughes made his full debut for Derby as a 90th-minute substitute for Jamie Ward. Despite entering the match late with the scores level, there was still time for Hughes' first-team debut to end in defeat as a 94th-minute goal saw Peterborough win 3–2.[16]

After Derby midfielder Paul Green, who was out-of-contract at the end of the season, rejected a contract offer, Clough dropped him and promoted Hughes to the first-team squad as his replacement for the penultimate match of the season at Portsmouth.[17] Hughes started the match on the substitute's bench and came on in the 68th minute, replacing Theo Robinson in a 2–1 win.[18] Hughes started his first match for the senior team in the final match of the season, a 1–1 draw against Peterborough United.[19] Hughes' performance match earned praise from Derby manager Nigel Clough.[20] At Derby's awards night, Hughes won the Scholar of the Year Award.[21]

After impressing in pre-season, Clough said that Hughes could be in line for a place in the starting line-up in the first match of the season against Scunthorpe United in the League Cup.[22] Clough was particularly impressed with his substitute appearance against Colchester United saying, "When he came off the bench at Colchester, he was very good indeed. I thought he was the star of the subs. He looked comfortable. I don't think he gave the ball away and he made our equaliser. We are very pleased with him."[22]

Hughes scored his first goal for the club in a 5–1 win against Watford on 1 September 2012.[23] Hughes signed a new contract in October 2012, committing his future at the club until summer 2015.[24] Hughes scored his second goal for the club in a 2–1 defeat at Millwall on 10 November, scoring an equalising goal from 20 yards.[25] In November 2012, Hughes was linked with moves to Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.[26] Nigel Clough denied the rumours,[27] however he said the interest in the player was inevitable and said many scouts had been at Derby matches to watch Hughes.[6]

Hughes was named the Football League Young Player of the Month for November 2012, after a series of impressive performances.[28] On the eve of the 2013 January transfer window, it was reported in the Derby Telegraph that Hughes was being closely observed by 10 Premier League clubs with Fulham's manager Martin Jol saying of Hughes, "Believe me, there are probably 10 clubs in the Premier League having a look at him. He is one of these wonderful talents, so he is always on lists. If you have a good scouting system, he will always be on the list but we will see."[29]

In February 2013, during a 0–0 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Hughes picked up a groin injury and was replaced after 63 minutes. As a result of this injury, Hughes ended his ever-present run of Derby first-team appearances after 35 matches and ended a run of 37 consecutive appearances.[30] With twelve matches remaining in the season and with Derby unlikely to fight for a play-off place and with Hughes being ruled out for the first two matches in March;[30] Clough said he considered resting Hughes for the rest of season to reduce stress on his body.[citation needed]

In April 2013, Hughes signed a one-year extension to his contract after his 18th birthday, extending his stay until June 2016.[31] Hughes returned to first-team action before schedule on 20 April as an 85th-minute substitute in Derby's 3–1 against Peterborough United.[32] At the end of the season, Hughes won the Sammy Crooks Young Player of the Year award.[33]

Ahead of the 2013–14 season, Hughes was expected to compete with Craig Bryson, Paul Coutts and Jeff Hendrick, with then-manager Nigel Clough stating that rotation could be utilised.[34] Hughes scored his first goal of the season on 27 August in a 5–0 win against League One side Brentford in the League Cup.[35] He scored his first league goal of the season in a 3–1 defeat at home to Reading on 21 September.[36] This was Hughes' last goal under Nigel Clough, who was sacked a week later following a 1–0 defeat at the hands of rivals Nottingham Forest in the East Midlands derby.[37][38] Clough was replaced by former England manager Steve McClaren,[39] and Hughes scored in his first match in charge of Derby; a 3–1 win against Leeds United.[40] On 1 July 2014, Hughes agreed a new four-year contract at Derby County, which would see his contract at the club extended until the end of the 2017–18 season.[41]

On 8 August 2015 in the season opener against Bolton, Hughes damaged his anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee and was ruled out for six months.[42] In April 2016, he rejoined the first-team squad at Derby after returning to full fitness.[43]

Despite interest from Premier League giants Manchester United,[44] Hughes remained at Derby for their 2016–17 Championship campaign, under new manager Nigel Pearson.[45] The team's negative start at the start of the season saw Pearson sacked, with former manager Steve McClaren replacing him.[46][47] On 13 January 2017, Hughes signed a new contract with Derby, running until the summer of 2020.[48] McClaren was later replaced by Gary Rowett in March that year, with Derby going on to finish ninth in the Championship after an indifferent season.[49] Hughes' final appearance for Derby was a 1–1 draw at relegated Rotherham United, coming on as a substitute at half-time for Craig Bryson.[50] Hughes has stated that he stagnated at the end of his Derby career, and believes he wasn't manager Gary Rowett's "cup of tea".[12]

Watford

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On 24 June 2017, Hughes joined Premier League club Watford on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £8 million.[7] Hughes became newly appointed manager Marco Silva's first signing of the season.[51] He made his Premier League debut on 28 October 2017, coming on as a substitute for André Carrillo in the 80th minute, during a 1–0 defeat against Stoke City at Vicarage Road.[52] Hughes then scored his first goal for the Hornets on 19 November that year, scoring the opener in a 2–0 victory over West Ham United.[53]

Hughes was part of a Watford side that reached the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium during the 2018–19 season,[54] where they would be defeated 6–0 by domestic treble winners Manchester City in the final, Hughes having played all sixth matches during their FA Cup campaign.[8] Despite their success, Watford were relegated to the Championship at the end of the following season.[9] Hughes remained at Watford, playing a crucial role as Watford earned promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, finishing the Championship league campaign as runners-up.[10]

Crystal Palace

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On 28 August 2021, Hughes signed a three-year deal with Premier League club, Crystal Palace.[55] He made his debut for the club on 30 November as an 82nd minute substitute for Jeffrey Schlupp in a 1–0 defeat away to Leeds United.[56]

On 20 March 2022, Hughes scored his first goal for Crystal Palace, scoring the 4th goal in a 4-0 victory over Everton in the 2021-22 FA cup quarter final.[57] On 28 May 2023, Hughes scored his first Premier League goal for Crystal Palace, scoring the equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest in the last game of the 22-23 season[58]

International career

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On 17 January 2012, Hughes was called up to the England U17 for the first time for the Algarve Tournament in February 2012, he was joined by his teammate Mason Bennett.[59] Hughes appeared in all three match, as England won the three-match tournament with seven points.[60] Hughes scored a goal in the 2–2 draw against Netherlands U17 on 4 February 2012. Hughes was also called up the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship elite round in March 2012, however England failed to qualify for the main tournament, finishing third in their group on four points, with their exit confirmed in a 4–0 loss to Spain U17.[61] In August 2012, Hughes was named as standby for the England U19 squad for a friendly against Germany U19 in September.[62] On 19 November 2013, Hughes scored his first goal for England U21 against San Marino U21.[citation needed]

In November 2012, Hughes made his first appearance for the England U21 squad in a friendly against Northern Ireland U21 on 13 November.[63] Hughes came on as a 65th-minute substitute for Josh McEachran, becoming the second youngest player to get capped for the U21s,[64] beaten only by Theo Walcott.[5] Derby youth academy director Darren Wassall praised Hughes after his call-up to the England U21 side, saying "It's a great achievement to get in at 17 and we are all delighted for him. To make that rise into the Under-21s so soon is fantastic for him and everyone at the club."[65] Hughes called the experience "surreal".[66]

Hughes claimed eligibility to play for the Wales national team through Welsh paternal grandparents in 2019.[12] However, earlier research by the Football Association of Wales in 2015 concluded that only his great-grandparents were Welsh and therefore Hughes was ineligible to represent Wales.[67]

Style of play

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Hughes has been described as a "flair player" who uses through balls and mazy runs to create space for teammates and beat opposition defences in attacking positions.[5] He has expressed a "love of a challenge, a 50–50".[12]

Hughes said in a December 2012 interview for the BBC, that he bases his play on Barcelona and Spanish international central midfielders Xavi and Andrés Iniesta.[5] Hughes states his strengths are his passing and technical ability and targeted improvements in pace and physical strength.[5] Growing up a Liverpool fan, his favourite player was Steven Gerrard, admiring his ability both in the tackle and as a playmaker.[12]

Hughes' former England U21 coach Stuart Pearce described Hughes as "technically a very sound player". "He rarely gave the ball away in training or in the game he played [against Northern Ireland], which is vitally important at international level. He's progressing really well."[5]

Career statistics

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As of match played 23 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Derby County 2011–12[68] Championship 3 0 0 0 0 0 — 3 0
2012–13[69] Championship 35 2 2 0 1 0 — 38 2
2013–14[70] Championship 41 3 1 0 3 1 3[a] 1 48 5
2014–15[71] Championship 42 2 1 1 5 0 — 48 3
2015–16[72] Championship 6 0 0 0 0 0 2[a] 0 8 0
2016–17[73] Championship 38 2 1 0 3 0 — 42 2
Total 165 9 5 1 12 1 5 1 187 12
Watford 2017–18[74] Premier League 15 2 0 0 1 0 — 16 2
2018–19[75] Premier League 32 2 6 1 2 0 — 40 3
2019–20[76] Premier League 30 1 0 0 1 0 — 31 1
2020–21[77] Championship 30 2 1 0 0 0 — 31 2
Total 107 7 7 1 4 0 — 118 8
Crystal Palace 2021–22[78] Premier League 16 0 4 1 0 0 — 20 1
2022–23[79] Premier League 27 1 1 0 2 0 — 30 1
2023–24[80] Premier League 30 0 2 0 1 0 — 33 0
2024–25[81] Premier League 10 0 0 0 3 0 — 13 0
Total 83 1 7 1 6 0 — 96 2
Career total 355 17 19 3 22 1 5 1 402 22
  1. ^ a b Appearances in Championship play-offs

Honours

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Watford

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists". Premier League. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Will Hughes". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  3. ^ "Will Hughes: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d "Hughes to step up from the Rams Academy". Derby Telegraph. 5 November 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Derby's Will Hughes – the Championship's latest sensation". BBC Sport. 21 December 2012.
  6. ^ a b "Will Hughes: Derby manager says interest inevitable". BBC Sport. 14 November 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Official: Hughes Is A Hornet". Watford F.C. 24 June 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  8. ^ a b "Man City complete domestic treble with FA Cup win". Sport. 18 May 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  9. ^ a b "The key questions as Watford are relegated to the Sky Bet Championship". Watford Observer. 26 July 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Watford promoted to Premier League". NBC Sports. 24 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  11. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline Publishing Group. p. 464. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h Winter, Henry (6 April 2019). "Will Hughes: Football has a lot of macho men: it's hard to open up". The Times. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  13. ^ "Repton denied in decider". Derby Telegraph. 10 March 2010. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013.
  14. ^ "Derby County Res 6–1 Walsall Res". Derby County F.C. 22 September 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  15. ^ "Derby County Res 1–0 Port Vale Res". Derby County F.C. 1 November 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  16. ^ "Peterborough United 3 – 2 Derby County". Derby County F.C. 5 November 2011. Archived from the original on 16 January 2011.
  17. ^ "Clough to cast net after Green turns down offer". Derby Telegraph. 20 April 2012. Archived from the original on 22 April 2012.
  18. ^ "Portsmouth 1–2 Derby County". Derby County F.C. 21 April 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  19. ^ "Derby County 1–1 Peterborough United". Derby County F.C. 28 April 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  20. ^ "Clough Impressed By Hughes Display". Derby County F.C. 30 April 2012. Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  21. ^ "Bryson Named Club Player of the Year". Derby County F.C. 2 May 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  22. ^ a b "Will Hughes is in frame for Derby County starting line-up". Derby Telegraph. 8 August 2012. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013.
  23. ^ "Derby 5–1 Watford". BBC Sport. 1 September 2012.
  24. ^ "Hughes Pens New Rams Deal". Derby County F.C. 20 October 2012.
  25. ^ "Millwall 1–2 Derby". BBC Sport. 10 November 2012.
  26. ^ "No bids for promising Ram". Yahoo! Eurosport. 14 November 2012. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014.
  27. ^ "Hughes named Young Player of the Month". The Football League. 21 December 2012. Archived from the original on 19 March 2013.
  28. ^ "Fulham boss Martin Jol one of 10 with eyes on Will Hughes". Derby Telegraph. 27 December 2012.
  29. ^ a b "Midfielder Will Hughes ruled out of Derby County's tough double header". Derby Telegraph. 27 February 2013.
  30. ^ "Hughes Extends Derby Contract". Derby County F.C. 18 April 2013.
  31. ^ "Derby 3–1 Peterborough". BBC Sport. 20 April 2013.
  32. ^ "Keogh Named Club Player of the Year". Derby County F.C. 2 May 2013.
  33. ^ "Nigel Clough still pondering midfield dilemma for Derby County". Derby Telegraph. 23 July 2013. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013.
  34. ^ "Derby 5–0 Brentford". BBC Sport. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  35. ^ "Derby 1–3 Reading". BBC Sport. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  36. ^ "Nigel Clough: Derby County sack manager after defeat at Forest". BBC Sport. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  37. ^ "Nott'm Forest 1–0 Derby". BBC Sport. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  38. ^ "Steve McClaren named as Derby County head coach"Steve McClaren named as Derby County head coach". BBC Sport. 30 September 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  39. ^ "Derby County 3–1 Leeds". BBC Sport. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  40. ^ "Will Hughes Signs A New Long-Term Contract at Derby County". Derby County F.C. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  41. ^ "Derby midfielder out for six months with knee injury". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  42. ^ [1] [dead link‍]
  43. ^ "Will Hughes transfer rumours and news". Football Transfer League. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  44. ^ "Nigel Pearson: Derby County appoint former Leicester City boss as new manager". BBC Sport. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  45. ^ "Nigel Pearson: Derby County manager leaves by mutual consent". BBC Sport. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  46. ^ "Steve McClaren: Derby County reappoint former boss". BBC Sport. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  47. ^ "Will Hughes commits his future to Derby County". Derby County F.C. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  48. ^ "Gary Rowett: Derby County appoint ex-Birmingham City boss as manager". BBC Sport. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  49. ^ "Rotherham United 1–1 Derby County". BBC Sport. 7 May 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  50. ^ Rouse, Daniel (24 June 2017). "Marco Silva makes Will Hughes his 1st Watford buy for reported £8M". The Score. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  51. ^ "Watford 0–1 Stoke City". BBC Sport. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  52. ^ "Watford 2–0 West Ham United". BBC Sport. 19 November 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  53. ^ "Watford stage classic FA Cup comeback to beat Wolves in semi-final". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  54. ^ "Crystal Palace sign Will Hughes – News". Crystal Palace F.C. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  55. ^ McGrath, Mike; Bagchi, Rob (30 November 2021). "Raphinha on the spot with vital, late winner for Leeds after Christian Benteke's glaring miss". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  56. ^ "Crystal Palace 4-0 Everton: Eagles fly past toffees to reach semi-finals". BBC Sport. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  57. ^ "Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest". Premier League. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  58. ^ "Bennett & Hughes Get England Call-Ups". Derby County F.C. 17 January 2012. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012.
  59. ^ "Bennett & Hughes Start in England U17 Win". Derby County F.C. 18 January 2012. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012.
  60. ^ "Hughes & Bennett Feature in England Defeat". Derby County F.C. 13 April 2012. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012.
  61. ^ "Hughes on England Standby". Derby County F.C. 25 August 2012.
  62. ^ "England U-21 ring changes for Northern Ireland friendly". BBC Sport. 8 November 2012.
  63. ^ "Hughes Gains England Under 21 Honours". Derby County F.C. 13 November 2012.
  64. ^ "Derby's Will Hughes can "come alive" for England Under-21s". BBC Sport. 13 November 2012.
  65. ^ "Will Hughes: England call surreal says Derby teenager". BBC Sport. 15 November 2012.
  66. ^ Hughes ineligible for Wales
  67. ^ "Games played by Will Hughes in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  68. ^ "Games played by Will Hughes in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  69. ^ "Games played by Will Hughes in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  70. ^ "Games played by Will Hughes in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  71. ^ "Games played by Will Hughes in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  72. ^ "Games played by Will Hughes in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  73. ^ "Games played by Will Hughes in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  74. ^ "Games played by Will Hughes in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  75. ^ "Games played by Will Hughes in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  76. ^ "Games played by Will Hughes in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  77. ^ "Games played by Will Hughes in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  78. ^ "Games played by Will Hughes in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  79. ^ "Games played by Will Hughes in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  80. ^ "Games played by Will Hughes in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  81. ^ McNulty, Phil (18 May 2019). "Manchester City 6–0 Watford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  82. ^ "Luis Suarez: Liverpool striker wins PFA Player of the Year award". BBC Sport. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
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