Luke Williams enjoying watching Josh Key in full flight

Luke Williams has praised Josh Key for his run of impressive performances, and believes the Swansea City’s man’s athleticism and dynamism mean he is a similar style of player to Gareth Bale.

Key is in his second season with the Swans following his move from Exeter City in the summer of 2023, and he has turned in a series of outstanding displays in recent weeks.

His driving run of out of his own half paved the way for Zan Vipotnik’s opener at Oxford United, while a mazy, weaving dribble had seen him come close to scoring against Millwall.

And head coach Williams is enjoying watching the full-back and, while not directly comparing Key to former Wales and Real Madrid superstar Bale, believes his style of play does have some familiar hallmarks.

"Josh is an exciting player. He’s supposed to be playing right-back but I don’t think anyone told Josh that,” said Williams.

"He looks to me like he’s enjoying his football but he’s concentrating. He's focused in the game, he's not out there playing like a free spirit. 

"But he’s confident in his ability. He understands what he can and can’t do.

"I think he’s performing at a very high level and he’s a very exciting player to watch.

"He's like a Gareth Bale type. There was a period at Tottenham where Harry Redknapp forgot to tell him he was full-back and just told him he was in the team.

"He interpreted that as 'I'll just do whatever I want then', in a good way I mean of course.

"It's enjoyable to see Josh Key expressing himself in the way he has been and with the level of concentration and focus for the team."