Everything Premier League managers need to know about Thomas Ince – Scouting Report
Recently named in the Championship Team of The Year, the Blackpool winger has produced some eye-catching displays in his time with the Tangerine’s and has not gone unnoticed by the big clubs. Here’s the lowdown on the Liverpool, Spurs and Manchester United target:
Ince’s career began at Liverpool in 2008 when he was signed as a youth player. He had to wait until the 2010/11 season until he was handed a first team number. It was this season where he made his Liverpool debut as a 106th minute substitute against Northampton Town in the League Cup.
In November of 2010 he joined his father Paul’s club Notts County on loan until January. He made 6 appearances in his spell scoring 2 goals. The experience at County had given Tom a hunger for first team football whatever division it was in.
When his Liverpool contract ran out at the end of the season Tom made the decision to join Ian Holloway’s Blackpool side recently relegated from the Premier League after the two clubs agreed a compensation fee. Still aged only 19 Ince struggled to command a regular first spot in the first few months of his time. But Ince would not remain a bit-part player for long. Trailing 1-0 at home to Doncaster at half-time Holloway brought Ince on as a half-time sub, the young winger went on to score a brace including a 94th minute wonder strike as he single-handedly won the game for Blackpool. Ince himself described this game as “a turning point”.
Blackpool and Ince never looked back from here and more impressive performances from Ince led Blackpool to the play-off final a game Tom scored in but Blackpool lost to West Ham. It was an impressive debut season for Ince who weighed in with 10 goals and 7 assists in 25 league appearences.
If his first season at Blackpool was good his second has been nothing short of phenomenal. Now an established member of the first team Ince started to 2012/13 season lighting fast, bagging a brace in the first game of the season. He has continued to terrorize defences all season and recently revealed he was very close to re-joining Liverpool in January. He has scored 18 and assisted 14 goals this season, quite an incredible return for such a young player. His talents have been recognised across the country earning a place in the England Under-21 squad, Championship Team of the Year and being crowned joint winner of the Football League young Player of the Year.
Ince has all the attributes to be a top winger in the Premier League and for England, he has pace, skill, balance and technique. But the thing that sets him apart from other wingers his age is his eye for a goal. In his time at Blackpool he has scored 24 in 76 games; compare this to 13 in 125 by Zaha who has recently been signed by United for £15million and you can see why there is such a battle for his signature.
With his father now in charge at Bloomfield Road Ince has to be careful he does not move too soon and must be sure to pick the right club to continue his development. First team games are vital and both the Ince’s know this. The young man has a cool head on his shoulders and seems not to be swayed by the money. The experience his father has in the game and the advice he will give will be invaluable to Thomas. Wherever he goes it will most likely be for a lot of money. Expect to see this boy at the top in the very near future.
Personally, I believe Tottenham would be a good club to join if Tom were to leave in the summer. They don’t have a vast contingent of wingers so he will likely get game time and the club have already shown they can bring young wingers through in Gareth Bale.
Joe Walsh @JoeWalsh17
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