Alex Henshall – a gem in the making?

Article by e-Ipswich Town's Billy Walker

Click here to follow e-Ipswich Town on Twitter!

Summer signing Alex Henshall is under the spotlight this week, as we look at his past in the game, key attributes, and his potential to make it as a regular starter under Mick McCarthy at Ipswich.

Born in Swindon, the 20-year old came through the Wiltshire team’s academy where he spent 8 years. He had always been highlighted as a hot prospect, and having made the Swindon first team bench on 2 occasions, Henshall was called up to the England under-16 squad, making his debut on 15 October 2009, in a 1–0 win against Wales.

In the summer of 2010, Manchester City snapped him up at the age of sixteen for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around 500K. He made his City academy debut on the 25th of July, 2010, winning a penalty against German side Empor Berlin, with City coach Scott Sellars claiming that Henshall "was a real threat" and "looked like a real talent".

He made his debut for the England under-17 team on 3 August 2010, in a 5–0 win against Finland, and netted his first goal on 27 February 2011, in a 2–2 draw against host nation Portugal in the Algarve tournament.

He played in all of England's games at the 2011 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, helping England reach the semi-finals, and also represented England at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Henshall scored a wonder goal against Liverpool reserves in 2011, which can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFrW6tIUTuQ

With first team options limited at City, Henshall joined Chesterfield on 22nd February 2013, on a one month loan deal which was eventually extended until the end of the season. Whilst there, he made 7 appearances.

But it was at his next loan spell where Henshall was to score his first professional career goal. On 17 October 2013, he signed for Bristol Rovers on a one month loan deal. His goal came away against Accrington Stanley, in a 2-1 defeat. Henshall fizzed in a cross, which was comically fumbled into the Accringotn Stanley net by the goalkeeper – it can be viewed here around 25 seconds in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DBIsgLRkts

Having joined Town in March on a youth loan, he was snapped up permanently by Ipswich on a 2-year deal after his contract at Manchester City wasn’t renewed.

A direct winger, Henshall is delicate whilst remaining tricky with a superb delivery of the ball. He appears to love to raid down the left channel, and is quick on and off the ball. With quick feet and also an eye for goal, Henshall could give manager Mick McCarthy a few selection headaches over the course of this coming season, having already impressed against both West Ham and Colchester United.

Following the game at the Weston Homes Community stadium, Mick claimed “I thought Alex Henshall played very well.

“He’s really, really quick, he’s got good skills and he can go past people and that’s something we’ve lacked a little bit.

“But he’s got lots of other things to do as well, all the dirty jobs that all the others do, but when he gets the ball he’s a threat, a constant threat.”

These comments imply that McCarthy’s impressed with how Henshall is progressing, and may consider him to be closer to the first team than many would expect.

Henshall’s up against Stephen Hunt and Cameron Stewart for the Left midfield spot, also bearing in mind that Jay Tabb can operate down the left flank. However, should he continue to impress the coaching staff as he has done so far this pre-season, he could force his way into Mick’s starting eleven in the not too distant future, and as a free signing he could be another one of McCarthy’s gems.

Ipswich are up against Gillingham tomorrow, with match reaction available on e-football as always.

© e-Football 2014 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football