Alongside Joe Willock were, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe in their days of under graduate football. Now, the two of them are in Germany on loan following the path of development in lieu of greater game time. Reiss Nelson is demanding the laurels of Hoffenheim supporters while Smith Rowe praises for RP Leipzig.
A loan move is, by and large, beneficial for a youngster wanting to come up the ranks, especially rising through and into a senior team like Arsenal is difficult where you have a lot of competition with star-studded players. However, Willock has impressed one and all with whatever chances he has got, although a little; and this lack of game time makes me ponder on a loan move for the Gunner.
There are no second thoughts in the varied skills and talent that the youngster possesses with only 19 he is capable of playing as a Number 8 or a Number 10 or even in the wings. The present generation Thierry Henry as they call him, Willock has an unprecedented way of outperforming the opponents which only needs to be taught and polished with time on the pitch.
The 19-year-old did get a call from a club of League One Luton Town in January transfer window which he immediately declined because of the level of football that was being played at that tier was the same he had already played at under grad levels and had successfully conquered.
If you ask me the best path towards a golden future for Willock? It will be a loan move to Derby County. A decent club headed by an indisputable coach and former Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard. The former Chelsea and Manchester City player took a toll on Manchester United in the Carabao Cup outing; a testimony that Willock will go in good hands.
The loan move to Derby is a good bargain at either hands, simple because of the fact that Joe Willock is in search of a greater game time along with a competitive level of football, whereas, Derby County would want a loan move as a replacement for the players that may leave the club.
The likes of Mason Mount, Harry Wilson and Fikayo Tomori who have impressed their parent clubs and are free to exit by the end of this summer would not be hesitant to do so which will leave Lampard gaps to fill, and who else better than an already established youngster waiting for a loan move himself.
This move will certainly award him the proper amount of training, knowledge, physicality, time and undying confidence that will help him further flourish as a player, individual and a Gunner.
WATCH: JOE WILLOCK | UPCLOSE
