Bolton Wanderers man needs to banish Blackburn Rovers nightmare - Steven Schumacher will be relying on him | OneFootball

Amario Cozier-Duberry has a golden opportunity to showcase his talents at Bolton Wanderers under Steven Schumacher

Amario Cozier-Duberry endured a difficult loan spell at Blackburn Rovers last season, but the Brighton loanee has a golden opportunity to showcase his talents at Bolton Wanderers under Steven Schumacher.

The 20-year-old winger arrived at Ewood Park in August last summer with high expectations following his move from Arsenal to Brighton, but his Championship debut season proved to be a challenging experience.

Despite making 23 appearances across all competitions for Rovers, Cozier-Duberry managed just one goal - a memorable strike against Luton Town that saw him describe getting "goosebumps" when the ball hit the net.

However, his time in Lancashire was marred by limiting playing time, particularly under Valérien Ismaël's management. The French coach's tactical approach and the physical demands of the second-tier proved too much for the young winger at that stage of his development.

Cozier-Duberry's Championship struggles highlighted development needs

Cozier-Duberry's loan spell at Blackburn exposed the harsh realities of Championship football for a player making his first steps in the senior game - the former Arsenal academy graduate found himself only playing 712 minutes of football.

The situation became even more difficult when Ismaël took over as head coach in February, known for his direct, high-intensity style of play that he employed successfully at Barnsley and West Bromwich Albion.

His single goal against Luton provided a small glimpse of his potential, with then-manager John Eustace describing him as "virtually unplayable" in the first half of that match.

It is hard to argue that the struggles faced by the winger weren't entirely unexpected. Moving from Arsenal's academy system to Brighton and then immediately into the Championship was such a big step-up in level.

The youngster needed time to adapt to the demands of senior football, something that wasn't readily available at a Blackburn side competing for promotion - Rovers ended the season in seventh, two points out of the top six.

Steven Schumacher can offer fresh hope for Cozier-Duberry

Schumacher has demonstrated his willingness to adapt formations throughout his managerial career, having employed various systems at Plymouth Argyle and even during his brief time at Bolton.

This flexibility is exactly what Cozier-Duberry needs after struggling in Ismaël's more rigid system at Blackburn.

Also, Schumacher's experience of developing youngsters - like Morgan Whittaker - at Plymouth Argyle, where he guided the club to League One promotion with a then-record-breaking 101 points, suggests he has the perfect credentials to help Cozier-Duberry fulfill his potential.

League One could be the perfect stepping stone for Cozier-Duberry

The drop down to League One won't seem like a backwards step for Cozier-Duberry due to his Blackburn struggles, and it does represent the ideal opportunity for him to rebuild his confidence.

The Trotters' defensive struggles in the 24/25 season, where they conceded 70 goals in 46 league matches, highlight the need for improved organisation - Schumacher has already identified this as a priority, putting emphasis on the importance of being "better out of possession" during pre-season so far.

For Cozier-Dubery, this is an opportunity to contribute in both defence and attack. To develop a more complete game, working on tracking back to help out at the back is so important as a winger.

League One's environment also offers more realistic expectations and patience for a developing player. Unlike the relentless pace of the second-tier, League One does provide opportunities for players to grow into their roles to build confidence.

The winger's contract with Brighton runs until 2028, giving him plenty of time to develop without the immediate pressure to secure a permanent move.

Bolton fans will likely be more patient with a player of his potential, but they'll also expect to see encouraging signs of improvement. They could provide the right atmosphere for Cozier-Duberry to write a new chapter in his career - now that the nightmare of Blackburn Rovers is behind him.