New Derby County head coach Paul Clement has declared how impressed he has been with midfielder Will Hughes during the side's pre-season preperations.
Clement, who arrived from Real Madrid having previously spent time as Carlo Ancelotti's second in command at Madrid and PSG, has been working on a number of new formations to act as a 'plan B' in the upcoming season.
With former Derby manager Steve McClaren being so conistent in a 4-3-3 formation, Clement believes it is important to make his side adaptable to different game situations in an attempt to improve on last season's disappointment.
Will Hughes has played in a key role in Clement's preperations, acting as a left-sided midfielder within a diamond four in the middle of the park.
And Clement has spoken of how impressed he has been with Hughes during Derby County's pre-season friendlies, telling the club's website: "I was really pleased with his endeavour and his work-rate" in what the Rams boss describes as a "difficult role, physically".
20-year-old Hughes has featured in every single one of Derby's pre-season games so far, including their trip to Holland where the midfielder scored a thunderous volley against Eredivisie side FC Utrecht.
Hughes progressed through the youth system with the East Midlands side and went on to become a product of their ever-improving academy. With his jet-blonde hair he not only stands out on the pitch through his appearance but also for his calmness on the ball and his ability to pick out a pass in pressure situations.
One for the future
He made his debut for the club in a 3-2 defeat to Peterborough United in November 2011, albeit as a last-minute substitute, at the age of 17. That following February it was reported that Hughes was on the radar of Manchester City and Manchester United, while it was also rumoured that Barcelona had produced a dossier on the youngster.
Under the then-Derby manager Nigel Clough, Hughes broke into the first team during the 2012-13 season, making 38 appearances in all competitions, earning him a call-up to the England U21 side.
He has since gone on to feature in 48 games consecutively in the last two seasons whilst also claiming 17 caps on the international stage.
Hughes will line-up in his side's final pre-season fixture tomorrow at Burton Albion before they head to the Macron Stadium to face Bolton Wanderers on Saturday 8th August in their opener to the 2015-16 campaign.