When will the fans get a
first look at Collins John?
Tue 17th Feb 2004
The term wonder kid is being used in football with
increasing regularity these days. If a young player
scores a spectacular goal, performs a single
outstanding piece of skill or even just finds himself
in the right position at the right time - that burden
is wheeled out and placed firmly on his shoulders -
often out of the need for a few more column inches
rather than in recognition of genuine sporting talent.
After all, nothing gets people talking more than a
relatively unknown player producing the unexpected.
Occasionally the victims of this phenomenon continue
to fulfill their media designated potential, usually
they don't.
Or rather they continue on a steady, if unspectacular
path of improvement. Which is noticeable, but hardly
worthy of fanatical media attention.
The sale of Louis Saha to Manchester United left many
people looking around for an immediate like-for-like
substitute. A close scrutiny of Fulham's incoming
transfers followed and the addition of Brian McBride
to the squad was, at first, seized upon as that
replacement. However the news that Chris Coleman had
the American down as a transfer target for quite some
time put paid to that notion.
Then came the signing of Collins John, an unknown
quantity, young, athletic, fast and skilful - deja vu
anyone? But rather than risk throwing him in at the
deep end, as can be the temptation, Assistant Manager
Steve Kean revealed that the management will be taking
a more patient and measured approach with Fulham's
talented new boy.
"We'll look after him and bed him in gently. Hopefully
he'll be able to slot into the system," explained Kean.
"We'll see glimpses of him this season. I would
probably say that initially he'll be coming on as a
substitute just as an introduction to the English
game. The tempo in the Premiership is a little bit
different than it is in Holland so he's going to have
to get used to the fast and frantic style of play.
"In Collins we're buying pure potential - he can
become a top class player. He can play up front and
also in Steed's role in the inside right channel. The
fans will see that he's a quick and powerful player
with a good touch, he's technically very good.
"Our scouts gave us good reports on him; we got a good
report from our Chief Scout, John Marshall and I went
out to see him myself - he looked a great prospect."
It was his goal scoring form at FC Twente that first
alerted the Whites to his potential and set the
transfer wheels in motion. But whilst he was pondering
over the move to London, Collins called on a fellow
Dutchman, Edwin van der Sar, for his advice.
"He asked me a few questions about the manager, the
facilities here as well as living in London," recalled
van der Sar. "Everything was positive so he decided to
come.
"I've seen him play a couple of times. He made an
impact in Holland with his goal scoring and that's why
Fulham had a look and decide to buy him. At Twente he
played more on the right hand side but he can play as
a striker. He's quick, has two good feet and is strong
in the air.
"I think a few of the big clubs in Holland were
looking at him but Fulham acted the quickest. He's a
good player for the future and once he's played a few
games this season he should be able adapt to the
Premiership.
"He's going to start running soon and should join in
training with the first team a few days after that.
It's not nice if you join a new team injured and have
to wait for a few weeks before you can get involved.
It will be a big relief for him."
So as to when we'll see our first glimpse of CJ in a
white shirt is anybody's guess. But one thing's for
certain - it'll be sooner rather than later if he's
got anything to do it. |
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