Sousa expects Williams interest

Ashley Williams won the Welsh Player and Club Player of the Year

Paulo Sousa is sure that Premier League clubs are tracking Wales captain and Swansea City defender Ashley Williams.

The Welsh Player of the Year impressed in his first game as national skipper as the 25-year-old inspired Wales to a 3-0 win over Scotland on Saturday.

"I don't have any doubts about clubs watching him," Sousa told BBC Sport.

"He can play in the Premier League, of course as I recognise other players in the Premier League are not better than him," added the two-time European king.

Williams has been linked with a top-flight move to Wigan Athletic and joining up with his former Swansea boss Roberto Martinez and Liberty Stadium old boys Jason Scotland and Jordi Gomez.

The former West Bromwich Albion trainee signed a new four-year Swansea deal last month and Sousa could demand around £3m for the man they signed from Stockport County in 2008 for a then club record fee of £400,000.

And Sousa - the great Inter Milan, Juventus, Benfica and Borussia Dortmund midfielder - insists he would not stand in Williams' way should a top-flight club come calling.

Ashley has grown a lot and has developed a lot as a player and he has time to progress and be more consistent in his game and have more quality Swansea City boss Paulo Sousa

"I think of the players first," said two-times Champions League winner Sousa.

"And if these things happens and it is good for him and then I'll be very happy for him."

Williams admits the past seven days have been "the highlight of his professional life" as the former Drayton Manor theme park worker's rollercoaster career hits the ultimate high.

He, though, did beat Steven Gerrard, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney to the inaugural North-West Player of the Year award in 2007 during his Stockport days.

Williams then beat another north west footballing great to win this year's Welsh Player of the Year as he pipped Manchester United's Ryan Giggs to the 2009 honour.

He started the week helping Swansea beat Cardiff 3-2 in the south Wales derby and ended a memorable seven days by performing superbly in a makeshift holding midfield role as he led Wales to victory against Scotland in his 18th international cap.

Sousa, himself a former legendary Portuguese midfield general, applauded his star man.

"He already has the quality to play in outstanding teams," Sousa told BBC Sport.

"The boy deserves all of these things as he works hard every day and is very focused.

"Ashley has grown a lot and has developed a lot as a player. But he has time to progress, be more consistent in his game and have more quality.

606: DEBATE Ash is easily worth £5m as his improvement over the last two years shows that he is rapidly developing and has the time to become a good Premiership standard defender ChrisOrmie

"But He is a player that wants to progress and I think he has not finished here. He has a lot of chance to progress and get a lot of recognition because he is a fantastic boy and a fantastic player."

Williams has been a key part of Swansea's watertight defence - the second meanest behind Newcastle United in the Championship.

Their superb backline has been the foundation for their impressive 10-match unbeaten run which has taken Sousa's Swans to the brink of the play-offs.

"He is someone, in my opinion, that can achieve higher levels in his career," insists Sousa.

"So I am very happy he extended his contract with Swansea and has shown his commitment to the club as he is someone who can help us to progress and achieve success for Swansea."