Bolton Wanderers’ draw with Leyton Orient yesterday took their unbeaten run in League One to seven games. One of their star performers in the game and this season is attracting interest from Championship side Sheffield United.
Winger Amario Cozier-Duberry is currently on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. His impressive performances for the Trotters are reportedly catching the eye of Sheffield United.
Should his impressive performances continue, the Blades may try and lure the 20-year-old to Bramall Lane in January. United’s interest may force his parent club, Brighton, to the negotiation table in January.
Who is Amario Cozier-Duberry?
Cozier-Duberry joined Premier League giants Arsenal at the age of 14. The 20-year-old spent four seasons in the Gunners academy and made his first senior appearance in a pre-season friendly against Juventus.
He turned down the option of a new contract at the Emirates Stadium and opted to join Brighton in 2024. Upon signing for the Sussex side, the winger joined Blackburn Rovers on loan for the 2024-25 season.
His spell at Ewood Park was his first taste of regular senior football. He went onto make 23 appearances in all competitions for Rovers.
This season, the seagulls have loaned him out to Bolton Wanderers. His performances so far have reportedly caught the eye of Sheffield United who are looking to recruit for that position.
How has Amario Cozier-Duberry fared for Bolton Wanderers?
Bolton Wanderers currently sit 12th in the League One table. They have faced defeat once this season and won two games so far.
Cozier-Duberry has been a star performer for Steven Schumacher’s side this season. The 20-year-old has featured in all eight games so far, predominantly on the right-wing.
He has been a consistent goal threat for the Trotters with an average of 3.56 shots per game, taking more shots than 90% of players in his position in similar leagues according to fotmob’s player traits graphic.
This goal threat has translated to two goals for the winger with the latest in yesterday’s game with Leyton Orient. The former Arsenal academy player has been a creator of chances as well.
Cozier-Duberry has registered two assists in League One this season. He has created an average of 1.53 chances per 90 minutes on average partly due to his impressive ability on the ball.
His pace and ball control has allowed him to complete 2.67 successful dribbles per 90 minutes on average this season. His ambipedal skill allows him to diversify his attacks by cutting inside onto his left-foot or getting to the byline and crossing with his right-foot.
Would Sheffield United be a good move for Amario Cozier-Duberry?
Due to his impressive performances in the opening eight games, the 20-year-old is attracting attention further up the pyramid. With Sheffield United reportedly keeping an eye on him, Bolton Wanderers fans will be worried they could lose their star in January.
The first eight games are a small sample size to go on despite the promise. In his 22 Championship appearances last season, Cozier-Duberry scored one goal and did not register an assist.
Having your first taste of senior men’s football in the Championship is a tough start for a young player. Factors such as the league’s physicality and the high-intensity style of play demanded by Rovers manager Valerian Ismaël will have impacted his performances.
Despite this, former manager John Eustice emphasised the talent the 20-year-old had after his player of the match performance against Luton Town last season:
“In the first half he was virtually unplayable and I was pleased he scored a great goal”
“The most pleasing thing for me is while he’s an exciting player with the ball he really works hard without the ball as well”
The key for Cozier-Duberry will be regular game time and a chance to develop his game consistently. This is what a season at Bolton Wanderers would provide him with.
Given that his contract with Brighton runs until 2028, there is no urgent need for him to be fast-tracked up the pyramid. Therefore, a season in the third tier would be the most beneficial for his development and could allow him to become one of the players of the season in the division.
