Joshua King has been a thorn in many Premier League sides during his time in England. Having featured for Manchester United, Bournemouth, Everton and now Watford, the Norwegian talisman is an experienced player who has been tasked with delivering goals under Head Coach Claudio Ranieri.
It all came to fruition against one of his former teams, Everton, where he was given limited opportunities before making the move to the Hornets in the summer.
He scored a hat-trick, silencing any doubters while defeating the Toffees. King reminisced on that successful Saturday afternoon and the journey that got him to that point.
“It was quite special,” King said.
“I was there for five months at Everton and never really got given a chance. I was promised a lot before I went there and of course I took that personally when I stepped onto the pitch two weekends ago.
“I remember the fans writing to me on Instagram saying that I deserved a chance. The fans were good, that’s why I didn’t really celebrate the first goal because the fans felt the same. After that second goal, the 3-2 goal, emotions got the better of me. It was a good day but for me I wanted to show them what I can do. I didn’t expect to score three when I woke up that day.”
Oslo born and bred, King remembers his childhood fondly and all the experiences that led him down the path of becoming a professional footballer.
“Growing up in Norway was good,” he explained.
“It was all football from the time I got home from school. I was forced to do my homework by my mum, but obviously I was playing football. I was allowed to join in with the elders, so I always played with people four or five years older than me. It’s probably the reason I’m the player I am today, fearless. I would say that my childhood was a 10 out of 10.
“I had a great team where I grew up and we won nearly every game. I had a good upbringing with my mum and dad. All my friends that I had back then are still my friends today.”
The next stage in his progression was signing for Manchester United’s academy aged just 16. This allowed King to challenge himself against some of the best youngsters in the country, aiding his development and character.
“I got scouted by a few clubs who asked me to go on trial, but I went to Manchester for a week and they decided to sign me straight away,” he said.
“I already liked it there because I remember that I clicked quite quickly with Jesse [Lingard], John Cofie, Ravel Morrison, Larnell Cole – I just remember telling my mum I didn’t want to try anything else.
“It’s funny to see everyone now because I remember seeing little Jesse who did well for West Ham last season and is now doing well for Manchester United.
“The academy was amazing, going from living in Norway to a structured training regime. We had great coaches in Paul McGuinness, Warren Joyce and Ole (Gunnar Solskjær) who is now Manchester United manager. It was a great time.”
Looking at his current surroundings, King has found it extremely easy to settle into Watford’s dressing room with the striker familiar with some of the faces at the club.
“This is by far the easiest team I’ve come into with the lads, for me,” he revealed.
“Maybe it’s because I knew some of the lads here. When I signed for Bournemouth, I didn’t know anyone – I got to know them over time, but here I already knew Chalobah who was here when I joined, Tom Cleverley from United, Danny Rose, Dan Gosling – it felt easy.
“The lads and the group here is very collective. After what happened last season, I didn’t want to wait too long to get back into it.
“Gino Pozzo, the owner, had shown interest in me quite early and we managed to make it happen. It was a good decision.”
Since King arrived at the Hornets Ranieri has taken the reins, and the former has enjoyed developing his playing style to suit the Italian’s needs.
“He’s been amazing with me,” he added.
“We’ve had three games and he needs time to get us to play the way he wants us to play. He needs to get to know everyone, which I think he is starting to do more and more. It’s about understanding his philosophy and the way he wants to play.
“So far, it’s been good. He’s a really good character, a very good man, honest and straightforward and says it how it is and I like that.”
Following his escapades at Goodison Park, King is excited to travel once more, this time to Emirates Stadium to play Arsenal on Sunday (November 7). In particular, there is one player that the forward knows better than the rest.
“Me and Martin (Ødegaard) have become good friends in the last year, we both stayed in a hotel when we came here, went out for food together and got to know each other,” he said.
“Now he’s the captain for Norway and doing well for Arsenal. He’s a very good lad and an amazing player. I’m looking forward to that duel.
“I remember texting him saying ‘Is Arsenal true?’ and him replying ‘Yes’. I said that he should go there, and that Arsenal will suit him especially with the way they play football. I knew I was here already, and I knew it would be good to have a fellow Norwegian nearby.
“Anything is possible on Sunday and obviously we didn’t perform our best against Southampton. Arsenal are a good team and everyone will have to be on top, on our A-game because they’re a tough side.
“I’m looking forward to it, they only train behind the bushes. If Martin plays there will be extra eyes on him because I know he plays in the No.10 role creating chances, so he needs to be stopped, but they have a lot of good players.”
Following a minor injury before Everton, King believes that he is slowly getting back to his best and is excited to continue showing the Watford faithful what he can do.
“I’m getting better, I feel like I’m 80, 85 per cent,” he added.
“Of course, you might look at me and think he scored a hat-trick, but I don’t feel at my top just yet because I haven’t played football in over a year. I still feel like I have an extra gear in me that will come. I feel really fit physically at the moment, but I still feel I have a bit more.”
