Young Huddersfield Town defender settling in great to life in West Yorkshire
- 17-year old speaks highly of his first season with Town’s Academy
- Defender enjoying life in Huddersfield
- Nassim Kherbouche also learning from his time with the Under-19s
Youngster Nassim Kherbouche explains how playing with the Under-19s has helped him develop in his first year at Huddersfield Town’s Academy, with the youngster splitting his time between representing the Under-17s and the Under-19s.
Some of the Town’s Under-17s have been gaining an incredible experience by playing with the older age group, and the youngster has grown in abundance by playing in the more physically demanding games.
Nassim, who plays at centre-back, believes being with the older lads in the Academy has helped him progress as a player.
“I learned a lot from being with them. The first time I went there, I got everything I could have got out of it. For example, looking at the man who has got my shirt and what I need to do to get it. That really pushes you on.
“They have helped me out a lot. Their attitude makes me look up to them on the pitch and off the pitch.”
In what is Nassim’s first year with Town, the London-born defender has registered 18 starts and eight substitute appearances for the Under-17s, whilst playing five times for the Under-19s and Nassim explains how he has happily swapped London for Huddersfield.
“At first it was a bit hard to adapt as it was my first time in a new environment, but slowly, I started to get the hang of it. It is things like doing the basics right, turning up on time, it all matters here.
“I want to stay here and work hard. I like Huddersfield.”
During this first year here, Nassim’s form has continuously improved. He believes he has grown and learned so much already stating that the coaches have played a huge role in his progression.
Although, in what is a credit to his fantastic attitude, Nassim is not quite fulfilled just yet. He said: “I wouldn’t say I am very happy with my performances, but I would say I’m alright with them. One thing I need to improve is my diet and my concentration, they are my two key things to improve, because I know I can get better.
“I know my form is down to the mistakes I made in the past, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be in the place I am right now, because without the mistakes I wouldn’t have learned.”
In order for the Young Terriers to progress, the coaches in Town’s Academy give each player Individual Training Plans. This is a development program used to help each player progress and grow at the Club.
Nassim explains how his plan focuses more on his defensive mindset and the reading of the game from his centre-back position.
“One of the aims is to work on defending the box; that means working on my body shape and adjusting to the ball. Clearances are another thing. We’ve been working on this for a couple of months and I have massively improved. The coaches are a massive help.”
Despite being a centre-half, Nassim is also known for his wonderful free-kick ability. He explained how he discovered this unique trait, after scoring a thunderbolt of a free-kick away to Burnley back in January, for what was his first goal for the Academy.
“I remember when I was playing football with my friends and I was just taking free-kicks for fun all the time and I wasn’t even practicing them - it was just for fun.
“One day I just stepped up and it just happened.”
Town’s Under-17 side is back in action this weekend as the Young Terriers face Scunthorpe United in the EFL Youth Alliance League.
The game will take place on Saturday 6 April 2019, kicking off at 11am.
