I really hope that Frei makes an impact next season as I honestly believe that he has the potential to be a bit special. I know that he struggled with injury this year and was then loaned out to try and get some fitness back in the championship but after last season he was probably just ahead of Kacanikalic and would probably have kept him out of the team if injury free. I know Kaca impressed fans this season but when I look at the two I think Kaca has the potential to be a very good Premiership first team regular for Fulham for years to come but Frei has the potential to be good enough to the point where a club like us cannot keep hold of him. Although both good youngsters with bags of potential Kaca is very left footed and always try to beat his man on the outside where Frei can go either way. I was very disaapointed with Jol when once we got to the 40 point mark Frei didnt get one start I know he wasnt fit for every game but he was on the bench for 2 or 3 matches and hardly got a sniff. If we have two players for every position that means four wingers in the squad Kaca, Frei, Dejagah and one other (sorry time for Duff to step aside).
It's been said that some Turkish teams have made bids for him along with Man City in January. I too think he has a future with us, he's still young and has the ability but I'm not sure he is ready just yet to be a regular team player. Rather than sell him I'd like to see him loaned out abroad possibly to a team like Galatasaray for a season and get him back a better player ready for the Premier.
My biggest worry Mcbride is that if we dont use him we will lose him to someone else or never see his full potential. The only reason this is really playing on my mind is a really think he is the first youngster to come from our youth ranks who has the potential to be something extremely special. Im not sure if he is ready for the first team (though I have a feeling he is) but we could find out by giving him a run of games. I know its hard to give youngsters a chance when your in the bottom half of the table (look at Villa) but when we hit the 40 point mark with six weeks still to go we should have been playing him at every oppotunity which I felt was a bit of a let down in Jol. I would take a loan abroad as long as we had a recall clause in.
Agreed Cookie, I think a loan deal would be just what he needs. Whereas Kaka has moved on leaps and bounds, Frei has been dogged by some injuries. I would welcome him going out on loan. I still think he is best suited to the number 10 role and not on the wing. Judging by the highlights I have just seen of the under 18's on the official website our under 21's have about 2 years to stamp their place as there is some serious talent in that team.
Saw Frei many times in our youth side a very talented youngster,but that one step up to the priemiership is one mighty leap, and i for one do not think he is ready,a years loan to a good championship side should enable the club to decide ,will he, wont he.
i agree with you on kaca being heavily left footed but I disagree with you there on Frei. Frei is very heavily right footed from what ive seen over the season and he has heavily frustrated me by always looking to cut inside.
Agree on Frei- which makes Jol's tendency to play him on the left annoying. Any decent PL right back knows to show him the by-line now. If he is on the right he's got the pace to have them do that and get beyond them, on the left he's got to cut in and beat players.
