Hughes on Football, Recognition, and Humility

As Hughes roams the parking lot, capturing photos, he runs into a fellow who just exited the gym, a partner at Crystal Palace. “We just upped your fee by about £20 million in that interview!” Hughes calls out to Adam Wharton, who playfully responds, “You can have half.” This is Oliver Glasner’s realm, and as Hughes notes, “There’s a sense of ego here, but it’s the right kind.” He perceives a distinct absence of arrogance and negativity that he’s encountered in other environments, commenting on the widespread grumbling he’s seen elsewhere. “But honestly? I haven’t observed that here.”

The week leading up to the FA Cup final buzzes with excitement, yet Hughes is eager to address anything and everything—be it the highs, lows, or trivial matters, like what his first trophy means. The evolution of the once-teenage midfielder into a pivotal force in the Premier League is another topic on the table. Why does he think VAR is a joke? And why is he not particularly enthusiastic about watching football these days?

His answer to the last question is somewhat unexpected. If he weren’t actually participating in the FA Cup final, he admits he might skip watching altogether. “I’ve moved past that phase,” he quips, “I was obsessed with football when I was younger. Now, I prefer to switch off and enjoy shows like EastEnders.”

Yet, that’s the unique thing about Hughes. Having been brought up in a rigorous environment like Derby County, he’s the elegant playmaker who still enjoys the grit of tackling.

There’s a notable YouTube clip from when he was 17, titled “Will Hughes – The Next Great English Midfielder.” At that stage, he had already made his Derby debut and was being compared to legends like Xavi and Iniesta. Recently, Glasner remarked, “I was told Will was 19 and already one of the best passers in British football. I’m not sure what went astray.”

So, what went wrong between then and now? Seriously, was he ever really as good as the hype suggested? “I don’t want to sound defeatist,” he muses. “But I haven’t really confirmed that potential. People often say I haven’t met expectations. If I had scored 10 to 15 goals for three seasons straight, then sure, maybe I’d feel differently.”

“I can be quite self-critical,” he continues. “One of my strengths is recognizing my skills and my limits. Players like Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, they can do things with the ball that I could never manage, but I understand the pitch and facilitate play—that’s what matters to coaches.”

At this point, he begins discussing Wharton. “That kid is frightening,” Hughes comments. “What is he even doing? How does he see those plays unfolding? He’s so humble too. If he keeps his head in the game, he’ll reach great heights.”

In some ways, Hughes feels fortunate. At Derby, he was part of a culture that valued hard work and humility, surrounded by veterans who would keep him grounded if he ever got caught up in his own hype. “That’s not so common for younger players today,” he quips. “So many will just tell them what they want to hear.”

He doesn’t crave attention, he explains, but acknowledges the shift in modern football. “Young players are glued to social media now, and while that’s okay, football should be the priority. It’s strange to see that blurred line in the sport.”

Hughes has gradually adapted his style at Watford and now at Palace, finding himself deeper on the pitch and embracing the tougher aspects of the game. “I’ve always had that grit,” he affirms. “Of course, things have changed—it feels like every tackle could land you a card these days. Plus, players are so theatrical about every foul.” He chuckles as he reflects on his 11 bookings this season, noting, “Some of those were necessary.”

His feelings on discipline extend to the overly regulated nature of matches. “I detest it,” he claims emphatically. “Seeing officials review a play multiple times is absurd. The subjectivity in things like red-card tackles is baffling. It’s an attacking game at heart.”

What if a player seeks to challenge the established norms? Hughes muses on VAR, expressing his disdain and summarizing the sentiment with a casual “it’s terrible.” Yet he acknowledges that many players appreciate the protection it offers. “There’s always a line to consider. But generally speaking, fans want to see more intensity, not just after-the-fact reviews.”

This discussion conveniently leads back to how Palace operates under Glasner. Their 3-4-3 formation emphasizes speed and transition, with Hughes admitting, “I’ve learned things I never knew existed in my career. The emphasis on detail, on both the defensive and offensive fronts, is something I’ve had to adapt to.”

For example, reflecting on a specific goal he conceded during a match against Nottingham Forest, he acknowledges, “I should’ve been tighter on the edge of the box. It might not be obvious from the camera’s angle, but my teammates and the coaching staff definitely picked up on it.”

As he nears 30, with 181 appearances in the Premier League under his belt, Hughes is also contemplating his career in a more reflective light. He recalls previous teammates like Harry Kane and Jack Grealish, who have found massive success. How does he see his own journey? Did he achieve what was expected of him, or fall short? “That’s a deep question,” he replies after a moment. “But yeah, I think I’ve lived up to it. In football, longevity is crucial—we see players shine for just a year or two.”

The upcoming final at Wembley feels symbolic for Hughes. He has tasted the experience before, losing in the 2019 FA Cup final with Watford against Manchester City. “Some teams match up better, and we’ve faltered in recent years,” he reflects. “That time, we simply weren’t on the same level. It’s a mixed bag; while I’m proud of reaching finals, losing that badly was pretty embarrassing.”

Come Saturday, Hughes isn’t certain if he’ll start. Regardless, he’s preparing himself mentally. Players like him, who gauge their careers by the sheer joy of playing, now have a chance to solidify their legacies through victories rather than mere appearances. “Reaching the final is one thing. Winning… that’s a whole new challenge.”