While at Coventry City at the age of 11, Monga undertook specialist one-to-one coaching sessions in a programme that has hosted players from numerous academies around the country all the way up to the Premier League.
“Initially, Jeremy was quite a reserved character, but he goes about himself in the correct way,” Callum Powell of CP Coaching Academy tells Sport.
“He conducts himself well and he is very polite and well mannered. He brought a good energy but not one that was loud, boisterous or in your face.
“He gets his head down and works hard. When he is on the ball, he is not shy to showcase himself.”
So even at that age, what did Powell notice were his strongest skills?
“His ability to manipulate the ball and his dribbling ability are his main traits but the most exciting thing about Jeremy when you are watching him is the ability to react and beat opposition players,” Powell added.
“His footwork, agility and technical ability is superior from most players of his age. This is why he has attracted the interest he has. The way he shifts while at high speed is quite a rare trait to possess.”
Alongside his coaching, Powell plays in the lower leagues of the English pyramid and says Monga’s attitude resembles similarities to an England striker who is currently at the World Cup.
“I grew up and played with Ivan Toney while at Northampton, coming through the academy and into the scholars,” said Powell.
“You look at him and see he has great technical ability but you would never have forecasted what he has gone on to achieve.
“Jeremy is similar to Ivan, the mentality is just different to others. He is not fazed, he doesn’t feel the pressure, in fact he is motivated by the pressure. That is the biggest things.
“Working with professionals and the most talented youngsters, the main thing that sets them apart is their mentality and mindset and you can see Jeremy has that in abundance.
“It is down to Jeremy to put in the performances and work to get to where he needs to but I have no doubt that he will go on to achieve great things there and it is an unbelievable move for him.”
