William James Hughes

William James Hughes

William James Hughes is an English central midfielder known for his left-footed technique and positional versatility. Born in Surrey in 1995, he joined Derby County’s academy at 12 and made his senior debut in November 2011. Hughes established himself in Derby’s Championship side, earning the Football League Young Player of the Month award in November 2012 and a place in the 2013/14 PFA Championship Team of the Year. In 2017, he moved to Watford, where he helped the club reach the 2019 FA Cup final and contributed to its return to the Premier League in 2021. Hughes joined Crystal Palace in August 2021 and has since developed from an advanced creator into a deeper midfielder who supports pressing and defensive coverage. At Palace, William Hughes combines progressive passing with midfield discipline, providing a platform for more attacking teammates.

Xtra rating
1767
Global rank
872
Updated: 28 October 2026
Country of Birth
England
Preferred Foot
Left-footed
Agent
N/A
Latest Signing Fee
£6,000,000
Date of Birth
17 April 1995
Position
Central Midfield
Shoes
adidas X 19.1
Wage
£3,120,000

Season snapshot

Overall season statistics (all competitions).

Season Matches Minutes Goals Assists G/90 A/90
2026 5 210 0 0 0 0
2025 43 2228 0 1 0 0.04
2024 41 2553 0 4 0 0.14
2023 33 2043 0 1 0 0.04
2022 30 1101 1 1 0.08 0.08
2021 20 1250 1 1 0.07 0.07
2020 31 2040 2 0 0.09 0
2019 31 2357 1 1 0.04 0.04
2018 39 2930 3 5 0.09 0.15
2017 16 1064 2 4 0.17 0.34
2016 39 2725 2 4 0.07 0.13
2015 7 440 0 0 0 0
2014 48 3623 3 0 0.07 0
2013 48 3613 5 0 0.12 0
2012 44 3378 2 0 0.05 0
2011 3 106 0 0 0 0

Form - Last 10 games

Strengths Analysis Season 2025

Role: Midfielder
Top attributes (percentile)

    Xtra rating history

    Last rating points (most recent matches).

    Recent Matches

    Fulham
    0 - 1
    ⏱ 90’ ⚽ 0 A 0 ★ 6.6
    Crystal Palace
    Fulham
    Crystal Palace
    League Cup - Craven Cottage, London, England
    Crystal Palace
    0 - 2
    ⏱ 0’ ⚽ 0 A 0 ★ 0
    Newcastle
    Crystal Palace
    Newcastle
    Premier League - Selhurst Park, London, England
    Beşiktaş
    2 - 2
    ⏱ 0’ ⚽ 0 A 0 ★ 0
    Crystal Palace
    Beşiktaş
    Crystal Palace
    UEFA Europa League - Tüpraş Stadyumu, İstanbul, Turkey
    Brighton
    5 - 0
    ⏱ 6’ ⚽ 0 A 0 ★ 5.99
    Crystal Palace
    Brighton
    Crystal Palace
    Premier League - American Express Stadium, Falmer, East Sussex, England
    Lyon
    3 - 2
    ⏱ 0’ ⚽ 0 A 0 ★ 0
    Crystal Palace
    Lyon
    Crystal Palace
    UEFA Europa League - Groupama Stadium, Saint-Denis, France
    Crystal Palace
    3 - 1
    ⏱ 0’ ⚽ 0 A 0 ★ 0
    Nottingham Forest
    Crystal Palace
    Nottingham Forest
    Premier League - Selhurst Park, London, England
    Crystal Palace
    2 - 3
    ⏱ 13’ ⚽ 0 A 0 ★ 6.29
    Ipswich
    Crystal Palace
    Ipswich
    Premier League - Selhurst Park, London, England
    Crystal Palace
    3 - 0
    ⏱ 90’ ⚽ 0 A 0 ★ 6.87
    Middlesbrough
    Crystal Palace
    Middlesbrough
    League Cup - Selhurst Park, London, England
    Fulham
    2 - 3
    ⏱ 11’ ⚽ 0 A 0 ★ 5.71
    Crystal Palace
    Fulham
    Crystal Palace
    Premier League - Craven Cottage, London, England
    Crystal Palace
    1 - 4
    ⏱ 0’ ⚽ 0 A 0 ★ 0
    Manchester City
    Crystal Palace
    Manchester City
    Premier League - Selhurst Park, London, England

    Teams

    Crystal Palace
    Years: 2021-2025
    Watford
    Years: 2017-2020
    England U21
    Years: 2015, 2017, 2019
    England U17
    Years: 2012
    Derby
    Years: 2011-2016
    Crystal Palace U21

    Transfers

    28 Aug 2021
    € 7M
    Watford
    Crystal Palace
    24 Jun 2017
    € 9.1M
    Derby
    Watford

    Honors

    English FA Cup
    × 1
    Won in: 2024-2025
    Football League Young Player of the Year
    × 1
    Won in: 2013-2014
    UEFA Europa Conference League
    × 1
    Won in: 2025-2026