After signing the Jamaican defender on Deadline Day, we wanted to learn a little more about Michael Hector. I spoke to Adam, the editor of The FL 72. Adam tells us a little more about Hector and identifies his strengths and his weaknesses.
Chelsea signed Michael Hector from Reading on Deadline Day, could you tell us a little more about the defender and what attracted the Premier League Championship?
Hector is a twenty-three-year-old defender who has been a regular in the Reading team for about eighteen months now. Before that he was shipped out on loan to pretty much everyone, with him clocking up eleven loan stints before breaking into the Reading first team.
What I think attracted Chelsea was the fact he has both physicality and the ability to play football, which is essential now at the top level.
What is his playing style and who could you compare him to?
Hector is a big six four defender and I’ve never seen him be outmuscled by a defender. He usually deals with everything in the air with ease and is a threat from set pieces. As I’ve said before though, that isn’t the only string to his bow. He is very comfortable on the ball, which is something that his previous manager, Nigel Adkins demanded from all his players. I’ve seen some suggest that like Kurt Zouma, he may be used in midfield.
But he has a fundamental flaw at the moment. He can’t deal with pace. This has been an issue for a while, but it was very prominent in a recent game against Birmingham City. Clayton Donaldson and Demarai Gary had so much fun just running at him and also playing off the shoulder as he can be quite slow to turn. Reading went on to lose that game 2-1.
How important has Steve Clarke been to his development?
Not especially important as of yet. It was Nigel Adkins who gave Hector his big chance and Clarke has simply continued with that. Clarke though had actually dropped Hector following his performance against Birmingham and he is yet to get back in, so I’m unsure where this tough love will leave Hector.
At the age of 23, can Hector forge a career in the Chelsea first team and when?
Nope. Sorry guys, I’m sure you want me to say he’s the next John Terry, but he is never going to be that level. At some point, he may be a good lower level Premier League defender, but reach to the level Chelsea need? No way. He has too many fundamental flaws at twenty-three years old if he was twenty with these flaws I’d me more optimistic, but he might already be set in his ways.
Reading signed Lucas Piazon as well as high profile names including Ola John and Matej Vydra. Can Steve Clarke guide Reading to promotion this season following the impressive additions?
Definitely. Reading are on the periphery of most pundits because Clarke never got them going last year and their start has been pretty mediocre. But these signings are very impressive and will certainly make teams look twice at Reading. They won’t get automatic promotion but don’t be surprised if they sneak into the playoffs.
Finally, will Hector be a good signing for Chelsea? Yes or no and why?
No, he has too many issues to ever be at the standard Chelsea need and it’s not like the Chelsea academy has a good record of helping these sort of players anyway.
