Neco Williams has had to be patient during Euro 2020, before his first start of the tournament against Italy on Sunday.
In Wales’ opening game, 1-1 with Switzerland, the Liverpool star was launched in the 90th minute. In their second match, a 2-0 victory against Turkey, he did not play at all.
Against the Azzurri, things changed. Williams was given a place in start XI with his inclusion as a result of Wales returning to the 3-5-2 system that had given them joy earlier.
In his side’s opening two games, Rob Page had put up his accusations in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Thanks to his more conservative tendencies and experience, Tottenham’s Ben Davies was chosen as the left back behind the more expansive Williams. Switching to wingbacks, however, meant that the youth was preferred in Rome – where he received a major tournament baptism of fire.
Not only was his opposite number Federico Chiesa, a rare bright spot in Juventus’ disappointing 2020/2021 promotion, he also had to deal with one of the best midfielders in the competition.
Williams is still only 20 / Claudio Villa / Getty Images
At the base of Italy’s three was Jorginho – the human metronome who controls the pace close enough to every game he is a part of. Just before him was Matteo Pessina. While he may not be a household name, his movement from the ball is astounding and he was a key player for Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta last season.
Most frightening of all was the returning Marco Verratti. The Paris Saint-Germain star is Mercury at the best of times, but with his place in the side threatened, he played with a point to prove for Roberto Mancini.
When the first starters in big tournaments go, it does not get much harder than this. The early signs suggested, however, that Williams could rise.
From the beginning, he pressed hard to ask questions to Italy’s provisional right-back, Rafael Toloi. After this early flowering, he did not encounter too many opportunities to break forward, but he was still positive in possession.
Neco Williams plays out of position and against probably the best team in the tournament. He played brilliantly, considering. If you’re an LFC fan and on your back, you can get stuffed. The boy is clearly talented.
– Jay ???️? (@ScouseSocialism) June 20, 2021
The highlight of his offensive screen came in the middle of the first half. He showed impressive calm and skill and hit the ball nicely around the corner for Daniel James to chase down on the left side. In the end, the attack went out, but it was one of the few occasions when Wales penetrated the Italian back line.
Unfortunately for Williams, although his performance had some bright spots, his move to Italy was for the most part a real struggle. Chiesa beat him on several occasions with Joe Morrell, the only Welsh player to dribble more often.
It was not just one on one that Williams became the best either. Positionally, he also caused real problems. Both Verratti and Chiesa found plenty of room for maneuver in the half space between him and Chris Gunter, while the latter also twisted freely on the back post often.
• Neco Williams • Liverpool • Welsh • 20 years old
TAA is the definition of a right-back wonderkid, but after him through the production line follows Neco Williams, who slowly begins to force himself into Klopp’s thinking. ?
Welcome to Our 21, @ necowilliams01 ???????
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) June 10, 2021
Things became particularly taxing in the second half of the year when Ethan Ampadu was fired severely for a late challenge on Federico Bernardeschi. This further limited Williams’ chances of breaking forward, where he is at his best.
All in all, this was not the big tournament debut he would have dreamed of, but that does not mean that it was not a hugely valuable experience for the 20-year-old. Williams will probably have learned more from the 86 minutes he has messed with Chiesa that he has learned all season to beat Liverpool’s reserves.
It was far from a complete horror value as well. Who knows, he might even get a chance to sort things out in the quarterfinals.
