Speaking to Football London, England U21 manager Aidy Boothroyd has lavished praise upon Emile Smith Rowe, claiming that his ability without the ball is very underrated.
Smith Rowe has been called up to the England U21 side for the upcoming internationals, and it’s clear to see that Boothroyd thinks he’s an incredibly talented young footballer.
The U21 boss has claimed that although people don’t take much notice of what he does without the ball, his workrate is simply outstanding.
“You can see the little techniques in his game, particularly without the ball. People wouldn’t really associate him without the ball, but his willingness to work, to get into position, to check his shoulders, to make sure he is doing what the coach wants him to do,” Boothroyd said
“I think probably the key thing for him, what I like so much about him, is his football brain. He is one of those players who sees things happening before they actually occur. Sees a pass, runs into a space where he thinks the ball is going to be.
“We are only seeing the start of him. If he can stay fit we have got a real player on our hands there.”
Boothroyd makes a good point about Smith Rowe’s movement without the ball.
When a talent as young and as raw as Smith Rowe bursts onto the scene, it’s easy to get carried away and dazzled by his skills on the ball, but often the best players are defined by what they do out of possession.
The Gunners look to have a real star on their hands, and as Boothroyd says, if he stays fit, he will be a real player.
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