Josh King: The Rising Star Ready to Shine on the International Stage
Josh King is officially part of England's squad to take on Croatia and Spain, and the excitement around him is palpable. Fulham's rising star has caught the eye of head coach Thomas Tuchel, who sees him as a player with the right attitude and personality to thrive on the international stage.
Charlie Turnbull, who coached King at Fulham's academy from U10 to U14, has always been impressed by his talent. "He was always among the best players in his age group nationally," Turnbull tells Sky Sports. But what truly set King apart was his love for pressure situations.
"When the stakes were high, he thrived," Turnbull recalls. "He craved the responsibility to perform and consistently delivered when it mattered most. During tournaments in France, Spain, and Portugal, he was often named the best player by rival clubs' staff."
Tuchel's faith in King is evident, especially after he picked him over other talented players like Cole Palmer and Phil Foden. The England coach believes King's competitive spirit will serve him well as he prepares for potential debut matches.
Alvaro Arbeloa, Fulham's head coach, is equally optimistic. "He has everything needed to become one of the best players in the world," he stated following King's call-up. Turnbull agrees, though he acknowledges that development can be unpredictable. "I always thought he had the potential to reach the highest levels of football."
King's talent attracted interest from top clubs, including Chelsea, which was known for its elite academy. Turnbull reflects, "Chelsea was the best academy in the country at that time. We knew there was interest, but Josh and his family never pursued it."
The support from King's parents has been crucial in keeping him grounded. His mother, Michelle, a university lecturer, and father, Steve, a lawyer, have ensured he has a well-rounded upbringing. Turnbull notes that balancing multiple sports helped alleviate the pressure of being solely focused on football.
"Josh possesses a maturity beyond his years, and his game was already advanced when I first met him," Turnbull adds. He highlights King's exceptional movement and elite receiving skills as standout attributes, essential for success in the Premier League.
Since breaking into the first team under Marco Silva, King has proven his worth on the pitch, logging more minutes than any other teenager in the league over the past two seasons. This season, he has embraced a leadership role, contributing more goals and assists than any other Fulham player.
Turnbull is thrilled with King's progress, particularly in areas where he has worked to improve. They focused on enhancing his ball striking and left-footed shots during his academy years, and those efforts are now paying off. King's powerful strikes, like his near-post goal against Chelsea, showcase the effectiveness of their training regimen.
He also has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, ranking just behind Erling Haaland for touches in the opposition box this season. "His football intelligence and movement allow him to find those positions effortlessly; he's got a world-class instinct for it," says Turnbull.
The only area where King could elevate his game is his goal-scoring decisiveness. Turnbull notes, "He needs to be more clinical when he gets into scoring positions, as he's certainly getting there often enough."
Under Arbeloa, King has predominantly played as a No 10 this season, yet Tuchel has praised his versatility. As King continues to develop, the football world is watching closely, eager to see how far this rising star will go.
