Fultime had a bit of an interview with Kerim Frei, but this extended interview with the Press Association is our first real insight into how things are going for the Fulham starlet. Frei burst onto the scene with some fine appearances in the Europa League, including on his first start against Crusaders. But perhaps his most explosive performance was in the League Cup at Chelsea, where one of those mazy dribbles won a penalty.
Jol is full of praise for Martin Jol, who has fast-tracked into the first-team, for his commitment to introducing young players in what had become an old side.
Martin Jol is a calm manager. He knows exactly what he is doing. He gives the younger players an opportunity as well, like Alex Kacaniklic was on the bench against Sunderland.
He is a really good coach that wants to help players. If you are on the table for food, the younger players sit with [the older ones]. Being with the senior players is a great plus.
You see in training how they score goals and you are always thinking ‘how did they do this?’, ‘how can I do this well?’ I will always talk to them and they help you. They are great boys.
Frei’s confidence has been helped by regular exposure to first-team football.
It has been quite a good season so far. I started against Chelsea for 120 minutes and also the Europa League games as well.
My first game was in the Faroe Islands. There were not too many people there but it was still good. For a 17-year-old to make his debut was great, although I was more nervous against Chelsea than the other teams.
I think for every kid it is a dream to play in the Premier League [against the biggest clubs]. To play against a team like Chelsea, that was special.
I think I have got a good opportunity to play, even for just five minutes [in the coming weeks]. I was on the bench against Tottenham and I think I can get some minutes, even in the Europa League.
As exciting a prospect as Fulham have unearthed in a long time, we hope Kerim gets a lot more chances to impress.
