Up Next, Johl Powell

Age 24 Position 10 / Advanced Playmaker

Current Club Walton and Hersham (Step 3)

Career Summary

Starting his youth career at Millwall, Powell made the decision to join South London rival Charlton Athletic at age 19 looking to break into a first team set up. In November 2020 he made his debut for the Addick’s in a 3-1 EFL Trophy victory over London rivals Leyton Orient, but he would have to wait until February 2022 and a loan move to Maidstone in the NLS for his next taste of first team football. At the end of the 2021/22 season Powell was released by Charlton, joining Dulwich Hamlet in November 2022. Powell impressed scoring 6 league goals in a poor Hamlet side who were relegated, this form caught the attention of a number of NLS sides. Tonbridge were the first to grab his signature, but Powell departed in early September in order to play first team football, he joined Dover two days later but left them in January after his contract was terminated by mutual consent. Powell then dropped to Step 3 for the first time joining Surrey based side Walton and Hersham since then Powell has over 40 goals contributions in under two years in an exciting Swans side.

Playstyle

Powell has played mostly as a 10 in his career but in recent times he’s been played almost as a second striker / an advanced playmaker – dropping off from the main 9 and into the half spaces between the opposition’s defence and midfield. Walton have been on fire under manager Billy Rowley, they set up to be very aggressive win the ball high and transition at speed – using their wide players as the ball progressors to get to byline and deliver crosses. Powell is an expert poacher and scores the majority of his goals within the edge of the box and 6-yard box, scoring goals from cut back crosses or anticipating deflections from defenders. This season Powell has already bagged 5 goals in the league with his form contributing to Walton and Hersham’s place at the top of Southern League South.  

Strengths

Movement | Goal Scoring Awareness and Intelligence | Vision

Where should he go next

I feel Powell has shown he’s ready for the step up, however from his previous history at Step 2 he needs to be in a team where he’s playing week in week out – Hampton and Richmond and Slough seem to do a lot of smart business from the league below and fit the same playstyle and geography as Walton, but a step 2 move should definitely be a target for Powell.