Profile
Season stats
Full career & schedule →Domestic-league season · Colchester.
Performance data · by competition
| Competition | Apps | G | A | Min | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 League Two | 39 | 13 | 6 | 2968 | 7.03 |
 EFL Trophy | 2 | 0 | 0 | 106 | 7.45 |
 League Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 6.6 |
Scout report
J. Payne is a 31-year-old attacking midfielder at Colchester, enjoying a standout season — 13 goals and 6 assists in 39 appearances, a Season grade of 38, top 5% of League Two attacking midfielders. On long-term scout potential he's rated 18.7, ranking 338th of 478 in the League Two. A seasoned veteran, he has been a regular starter (71.7% of available minutes). He brings 0.58 goal contributions per 90 (0.39 goals, 0.18 assists). Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Payne.
Judged on this season alone, Payne graded 38 — a standout campaign that ranks top 5% of the 60 attacking midfielders in the League Two, on 13 goals and 6 assists in 39 appearances (0.576 involvements per 90).
Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 36 → 38). Over the 6 seasons on record his form has drifted down, peaking in 2020/21.
On long-term talent our Rating reads 19, 49th of 60 of the 60 attacking midfielders in the League Two. At 31 Payne is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 1.5 reflects that trajectory.
Below his 2020/21 peak but holding a solid level — the platform for a return is there.
Output in context · Colchester finished 12th of 24 · a mid-table side
13 goals in 39 appearances (0.33 per game) — double figures playing for a mid-table side (12th of 24). He also laid on 6 assists, so the all-round involvement reads 19 goal contributions (0.49 per appearance).
Strengths
- Availability. On the pitch for 71.7% of available minutes — a dependable presence in the XI.
- Final-third output. 0.58 goal contributions per 90 (0.39 goals, 0.18 assists) — productive for the role.
Watch points
- Defensive numbers. Modest 1.91 defensive actions per 90 for the position.
- Age curve. At 31, both level and resale value are on the downslope.
- Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.
Outlook
With a Rating of 18.7, Payne carries the 49th-highest potential of the attacking midfielders in the League Two of 60. In the final third he profiles as a genuine goal threat (0.58 goal contributions per 90). Veteran phase — a short-term, lower-fee proposition as both level and value decline (0.9× and falling).
Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.
Transfer news
No transfer news found for this player.
