Millwall boss expecting impressive teenage midfielder to make his first Championship start
The 19-year-old midfielder has come on as a right wing-back for the closing stages of the Lions’ last two matches with Mahlon Romeo managing a groin niggle.
Mitchell, a Millwall fan growing up, made his debut as a substitute on the final day of last season at Wigan.
His starts in the current campaign have been in the cup competitions. He played every minute in the FA Cup and EFL Cup.
Lions manager Gary Rowett said: “I wouldn’t hesitate in starting Billy in one of the games to take the load off Mahlon. It’s been easier to go with experienced players and use Billy at the end of the game, but I’ll be very surprised if Billy Mitchell doesn’t start for us before the end of the season. And it might be that position [right wing-back].
“What Billy has done really, really well is come back from the break chomping at the bit. He’s been one of the best players in training every day. We’ve got four midfielders and I played him as a right-back in one practise game because we didn’t have anyone there and he did really, really well.
“Rather than complain about being played out of position he sees it as another opportunity, which is symptomatic of what I’ve found with Billy Mitchell so far.
“He is almost training so well that he’s making me very seriously consider playing him – that is massive testament to his attitude. He is the one young player at the moment who has stood out. Two or three others have done well.
“If they are ready to play I’ll have no qualms about putting any of them in.”
PICTURE BY BRIAN TONKS