Jacob Wakeling interview: The whirlwind rise of Swindon Town’s ‘little Jamie Vardy’ | Football News

“My journey wasn’t straight,” Jacob Wakeling said.

At the age of 21, most footballers find their way in the game – and the Swindon forward is no exception in that regard.

It’s just that he has been released from the academy, signed to non-league, joined a Premier League club, sent out on loan and then released again before joining the Robins last summer.

Needless to say, he was taller than many his age.

His revival story began in the summer of 2020, when he was released by West Brom as an 18-year-old and then snapped up by Southern League Premier Alvechurch – who reached the second round of the FA Cup earlier this season.

With a raw pace, an eye for goals and no doubt a point to prove, naturally, it was not long before the eyes of the team higher in the pyramid were fixed on the development of the youngster.

“When I started playing for Alvechurch, I had no intention of continuing to start, it was just about getting back to playing regular football and enjoying myself again,” Wakeling explained to Sky Sports.

“When I started doing well and scoring goals, some clubs in the National League were interested and that’s when I really wanted to go up the league. I had the chance to go to the National League, but I believe I can play higher than that.

“I’ve always believed in myself – I think that’s what you have to do as a footballer, even when things aren’t going well – and I was offered a trial at Leicester.”

The trial went smoothly and, before the end of 2020, Wakeling has signed a deal keeping him at King Power for 18 months.

It’s a dream scenario. And one frontman that may not have happened, especially in a tweet after the move was confirmed, he thanked Alvechurch chairman Richard Thorndike for “believing in me when no one else did.”

“Leicester is a fantastic time,” Wakeling continued. “I have a lot of good memories and I worked with some really good coaches who taught me and helped me.

“It’s a crazy time – in a year I’ve gone from training in the park to training on the £100m training ground with Leicester’s first team and having the chance to speak to Brendan Rodgers. I’ve had to pinch myself sometimes.

“When I was at West Brom, a lot of coaches said that I was like a little Jamie Vardy. I had the same route as him, dropped to non-league and then went up again. I don’t think he even But, I know my name, if I to be honest! I love watching him practice, because I always base my game on it.”

Wakeling made three appearances for the Foxes U21 team in the Papa Johns Cup in 2020/21 and 2021/22, scoring twice, before being loaned out to Barrow in January 2022. “It’s not working, but I can’t. Don’t let me down,” he said.

Not seeing a path to the first team for Wakeling, Leicester let him go last summer and, within a month, he had signed a one-year deal at Swindon.

“I know there is interest [from Swindon] on a loan move from the previous summer, but it didn’t happen,” he said.

“There was still interest last summer and, when everything was done and sorted at Leicester, I had the opportunity to sign here – and it was a no-brainer for me. It was a great opportunity for me to show what I can do at this level, for a big club at this level.

“Not many people can say they played regular League Two football at my age. I’ve played with a lot of amazing boys at youth level, but they’re not cut out for professional level and I want to show that. I can compete at that level. this, competing with physicality and scoring goals.

“I had a point to prove when I came in here because there were a lot of people who said I wasn’t good enough and that drove me and gave me extra motivation.”

Wakeling scored four goals and three assists in his first 11 league games and, by the end of September, Swindon had signed him, realizing the potential of the talent on their hands.

He admitted that signing a new contract until 2026 was another decision he didn’t have to think about: “I want to repay the club for believing in me.”

He acknowledged the fact that out of the attack he has dropped off since he burst onto the scene, but for a young man in his first full season in the EFL, seven goals and five assists is really not to be sniffed at.

Promotion is the goal from here for 11th-placed Swindon – “It’s what the fans deserve. This club shouldn’t be in League Two.”

But Wakeling is also using the remaining months of the season to continue his development and learn from City head coach Jody Morris, who previously worked in the Premier League as Frank Lampard’s assistant.

“It was another great experience for me. You don’t get many opportunities to be coached by someone like him who has played at a very high level and coached players in the Premier League and the Championship.

“He knows what he’s talking about, so just learn from him and take everything he says because he’s been there and done it.”

And that means learning to trade by any means necessary.

“My favorite position is as number 9, alone or two, but I have played all this season – left, right and I also had some time on the left wing! a learning experience for me, playing in different positions and adapting, because you have to do it as a professional footballer.

“The gaffer asked me to do a job for the team and I can’t sulk about it because it’s a team sport and not all about me. I have to try and do my best in whatever position he asks me to play.”

With such a mature attitude, it seems the young striker has a bright future in the game.