Charlie Hughes

Charlie Hughes is making a big impact in the Championship after playing just 15 games for Wigan Athletic.

The 19-year-old ball-playing centre back has stepped into the first team following a succession of injuries to Latics’ central defenders and has quickly established himself as one of their best performers.

Hughes looks at ease playing against some of the top attackers in the league and is comfortable in possession. For someone of his age he is already very mature and handles himself very well both on and off the pitch.

The Wigan born defender was formerly with Manchester City and Liverpool youth set-ups but joined Latics’ Academy as an U14 and became captain of the U18s in the 2021-22 season.

The 5’ 10.5” defender is proving to be yet another high calibre product of the Academy, which has produced several players who have gone on to sign for Premier League clubs.

On 7 September 2021, he signed his first professional contract with the club but he recently extended his contract until 2027.

He only made his first team debut with the club in a 1–0 EFL Trophy win over Arsenal U21s in January 2022.

He made his Championship debut against Middlesbrough on 22^nd December 2022 but has quickly become a mainstay of Latics’ defence.

The club are going through dark times both on and off the pitch but Hughes has been a shining light.

Manager Shaun Maloney commented recently, 

“We’re scrapping for our lives and we’ve got a 19-year-old boy leading the way.”

“He’s got a really big future, and he’s a really, really good lad as well.”

“He works hard, he takes on information, and he will go a long way.”

Given Latics’ current precarious position at the bottom of the Championship, the club should be concerned that he could be soon be lost to a Premier League club.

My personal view is that he has the capability to play at a higher level than the Championship and he is still improving as a player. 

Hughes is a strong defender who is a good header of the ball, is pacey and reads the game very well. He is confident and calm young man, and he displays good leadership qualities.

It is still very early in his career, but he certainly has the attributes to be successful in the Premier League.