Fulham attacking midfielder Josh King is pursuing a route into Thomas Tuchel’s England plans with a background that extends beyond football, according to a profile published by The Guardian on Monday.

The newspaper describes the teenager as having an impressive academic record and experience playing rugby at fly-half — an unusual combination for a player seeking to establish himself in international football.

King also spoke proudly about his mother, Michelle, a university lecturer who is nearing completion of a PhD in sickle cell disease, The Guardian reported.

Sources