One to watch - Josh Walker
By Shaun • Oct 6th, 2008 • Category: One to Watch, Reserves & AcademyJosh Walker is a versatile defensive midfielder, he has captained England at U16, U17 and U18 levels. Having been part of Middlesbrough’s FA Youth Cup winning team of 2003–04, Walker made his league debut in the last game of the 2005–06 season when Middlesbrough fielded a team largely filled with academy graduates in a 1–0 defeat to Fulham.
Since then he has had short term loan spells at A.F.C. Bournemouth and most recently Scottish club Aberdeen. Walker scored his first career goal whilst on loan at Aberdeen on February 14, 2008 against European giants FC Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup.
Josh has captained England at Youth levels
Josh, from Newcastle, is a very highly rated young midfielder and though his progress was hampered by a medial knee ligament injury suffered in a Reserve friendly at Leeds United in summer 2007, he is now back to full fitness and patiently awaiting his opportunity in the Boro midfield.
He was very impressive in pre-season with many Boro fans pencilling him into their line up’s for the Spurs game. His only appearance so far this season was a substitute appearance against Yeovil in the Carling Cup. In the few reserve games I have seen Josh Walker has stood out for me. He is very much a vocal leader on the field, likes to be involved, likes to see plenty of the ball and is not afraid to get stuck into a tackle.
There have been plenty of comparisons with former Boro player Lee Cattermole, another product of the excellent Boro academy, and whilst I can see similarities I also think they are very different players. Walker is not as aggressive in the tackle and I think his overall passing game is superior to Cattermole’s, their is a strong feeling that the emergence of Walker contributed to the decision to sell Cattermole to Wigan.
I really do rate Walker and think it is just a matter of time before we see him making a breakthrough into the Boro side.
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Shaun is A Boro fan and owner of BoroMania.com. Born and brought up in the North East. Favourite players are Juninho, Slaven and David Wheater.
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Walker is quality and it’s a matter of time before he’s breaking into the team. Much better prospect than Cattermole in my opinion
he is gonna be a future england international what 18 year old controls a crap aberdeen midfield vs bayern munich
brilliant passer, tackler a type of player who will go well in the premiership/europe
Yeah hes definately got potential. Hopefully it wont take as long as its taking Adam Johnson to break through. I think we should be seeing him coming off the bench for atleast the last 20 minutes.