Harry Wilson is quickly becoming Wales’ focal point
Harry Wilson of Wales (Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)
When Gareth Bale announced his retirement from football shortly after the World Cup in Qatar, there was much talk around who would take on the mantle of Wales’ talisman and have the unenviable task of filling his boots.
Most eyes turned to fellow Welsh legend Aaron Ramsey, who has also served his country with distinction in the red of Wales. But father time catches up with all of us and Ramsey’s struggles on and off the pitch hampered him from being able to carry the torch Bale had held aloft for so long.
Step forward Harry Wilson. The 28-year-old winger has been a revelation for club and country recently, with 10 goals in 31 appearances in all competitions for Fulham this season.
He’s also 12 goals in 25 games for Wales, and supporters here will hope the man from Wrexham can have an even bigger say later this month for Craig Bellamy’s men, as they look to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup via the upcoming play-offs.
As a youngster in Liverpool’s academy, Wilson showed plenty of promise, and quickly appeared on the radar of those within the Wale set-up .
Speaking to talkSPORT earlier in the year, former Wales assistant Kit Symons spoke of how Wilson’s talent was very quickly realised.
“Harry has become the player everyone always hoped and envisaged he would be,” Symons said.
A meeting with then Wales Under-21s manager Geraint Williams then grabbed the attention of both Symons and former Wales boss Chris Coleman, convincing the pair Wilson had the skillset to become a top player.
Reflecting on the meeting, Symons added: “Geraint Williams said, ‘you have to pick this kid’. There had been talk of England being keen so Chris picked him for the first team. You never know how players will turn out because there is nothing worse in football than unfulfilled potential, so it’s great to see him performing so well.”
Despite signs of talent, Wilson would have to prove his worth away from Anfield on loan in the Championship.
Following successful loan stints with Hull City and Derby County, Wilson earned himself a chance in the Premier League when he joined AFC Bournemouth on loan for the 2019/20 season, and while he was able to net seven goals it wasn’t enough to prevent their relegation from the top flight.
Wilson would return to the Championship the next season, playing on loan for Cardiff City, where he would have another successful campaign, registering seven goals and 12 assists across the term.
It became apparent that if Wilson wanted to realise the full extent of his talent he would have to leave Liverpool for good.
In 2021 he initially joined the Cottagers on loan before completing a permanent switch in 2022.
This was especially deserved after Fulham had won the Championship title, scoring a division record of 106 goals.
Back in the Premier League, Wilson continued to make a positive impact for the Londoners. But it’s this season that has catapulted the Welshman into the limelight.
His goal against Tottenham on Sunday was his 10th of the season as Fulham moved into the top half of the Premier League table with 40 points and still with an outside chance of European football next term.
Speaking of his impact this season, manager Marco Silva stated: “He’s enjoying this season. He has the people around him to take care of the contract situation. Our club is trying to have contact with them as much as they can to solve it.
“I’m not going to hide it, the better he plays, the fight (to keep him) is going to be bigger. It’s clear, but we prefer it in this way.
“Of course when a player goes into the last year of his contract and is performing so well like Harry is doing, it’s going to happen, these type of things.
“The reality is we are not giving up at all. We are very pleased with him. He’s enjoying life with us as well.
“Now it’s a moment for the people around him to take care of his future and of course for us as a football club to try to get him with us for the next years.”
Wilson was the subject of much transfer interest in January, with Aston Villa, Everton and Leeds United all keeping tabs on him. Being out of contract this summer means that interest will only intensify.
It’s not just Silva who has been impressed with the 28-year-old, with Wales manager Bellamy also a huge admirer.
Speaking after the win over North Macedonia, Bellamy praised Wilson’s versatility and character since he took the role, with the decision to hand him the captaincy for the evening a testament to the faith in the forward’s talents.
“I have only seen the superb side of him since I have been in this role,” Bellamy said. “We played him as a false nine, he has the intelligence to do that, he was captain and he was incredible.”
WIlson scored a hat-trick and also grabbed an assist as Wales romped their way to a 7-1 victory at the Cardiff City Stadium, further cementing his status as the main man in Wales’ bid to qualify for this summer’s tournament in North America.
His second goal on the night came courtesy of a sublime free-kick, with his deadball-taking ability something that has clearly caught the eye.
“He has a wand of a left foot,” Symons said, adding that “he would practice after training, especially on his free-kicks. It’s no surprise to see the amount of great goals he scores”.
It is clear from his performances, particularly over the last 12 months, why Wilson is so highly rated and in such demand across the Premier League. His focus will now be on ensuring Fulham finish as high up in the table as possible and getting Wales to the World Cup – but after that is anyone’s guess at the moment.
