based on the 2025/26 season · updated 18 Aug 2026
Profile
Season stats
Full career & schedule →Domestic-league season · Colchester.
Performance data · by competition
| Competition | Apps | G | A | Min | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 League Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 96 | 7.3 |
Scout report
J. Payne is a 31-year-old central midfielder at Colchester, enjoying a standout season — 13 goals and 6 assists in 39 appearances, a Season grade of 46, top 2% of League Two central midfielders. On long-term scout potential he's rated 18.9, ranking 161st of 221 in the League Two. A seasoned veteran, he has been a regular starter (71.7% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 1.91 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Payne.
Judged on this season alone, Payne graded 46 — a standout campaign that ranks top 3% of the 44 central midfielders in the League Two, on 13 goals, 6 assists and 1.91 defensive actions per 90.
Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 38 → 38). Over the 7 seasons on record his form has drifted down, peaking in 2020/21.
On long-term talent our Rating reads 19, 37th of 44 of the 44 central 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
1.91 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — light defensive volume, with 8 clean sheets across 39 appearances. Going forward he chipped in 13 goals and 6 assists — a useful bonus from the back.
Strengths
- Availability. On the pitch for 71.7% of available minutes — a dependable presence in the XI.
- Attacking threat. Chips in from deep: 0.58 goal involvements per 90, useful for a central midfielder.
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 18.9, Payne carries the 37th-highest potential of the central midfielders in the League Two of 44. Defensively he reads as light defensive volume (1.91 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90), with a bit more on the ball than most in the role. 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.
Season statistics
Bars = where he ranks among central midfielders in the League Two with 600+ minutes this season.
Shooting
Passing
Defending
Yellow/red cards
Transfer news
No transfer news found for this player.
