Fulham manager Martin Jol has backed Bryan Ruiz to play a pivotal role for the club next season.
The Costa Rica forward netted in the London side’s first fixture of their pre-season campaign, a 3-0 win over Cartagines in his homeland on Sunday.
And, though Jol accepts Ruiz is best employed in a traditional No. 10 role, he believes the 27-year-old can utilise his versatility in order to make a big impact next term.
“Bryan wore number 11 last year because someone else had the number 10 but I think he is a typical number 10. He can play as a midfield player and he can play as a second striker,” he told reporters.
“I have to say in one of our games at the end of last season he scored two goals and then I played him on the right and he played in Holland of course in a different system on the right.
“Bryan Ruiz is an offensive quality player who can play in three or four positions.”
