Celtic pundit Stevie Mullen has recently made a claim about the club’s young Dutchman Jeremie Frimpong.
Mullen was a guest on the latest episode of the ‘A Celtic State of Mind’ podcast and the panel discussed multiple issues involving the Bhoys. One topic of discussion was Frimpong and his abilities as a player. Mullen believes that the youngster’s height isn’t really a problem but defending isn’t exactly a part of his skillset.
Frimpong had joined Celtic from Manchester City’s Under-23s in the summer of 2019. He has already become a part of the Celtic first-team and has made 37 appearances since arriving at Parkhead. He has also scored three goals, picking up six assists for the Bhoys (as per Transfermarkt). He is currently valued at £2.70m.
Do you think Frimpong's height is a problem?
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Mullen gave his opinion about Frimpong’s skillset and said: “I heard a wee conversation you and Kevin had the other day and it was really quite good. When you guys were talking, you were saying about [how] he’s too small to be a full-back in the modern game.
“So, here’s a wee thing, right? Jeremie Frimpong’s 1.75 metres tall. Ben Chilwell, who went for £50 million – 1.78m. Kieran Trippier, who’s playing for Atletico Madrid – 1.73m. Kieran Tierney, £25 million – 1.78m. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, who are probably the best defensive partnership in European football – Alexander-Arnold’s 1.75m; Robertson’s 1.78m.
“Danny Rose, who’s played for Tottenham, Newcastle – 1.73m. Seamus Coleman, the ex-captain of the Republic [of Ireland] – 1.77m. And Jordi Alba, who [plays for] Barcelona, [has] won everything in the game – 1.7m. So, his height isn’t the problem.
“It is his ability and his shape in the game. He’s got lots of attributes; defending is not one of them. The height isn’t the problem, it is where you fit him in.”
TIF Thoughts on Mullen’s comments regarding Frimpong…
In the ongoing Premiership campaign, Frimpong has won just one tackle per game for the Bhoys. As many as nine Celtic players have won more tackles per game than the young Dutchman this season. He has made 0.3 interceptions per game and 12 Celtic players have made more interceptions per game than him (as per WhoScored).
This might suggest that defending isn’t Frimpong’s strength. The 19-year-old is joint fifth-best for most key passes per game and he has completed the fifth-highest number of dribbles per game as well (as per WhoScored).
So the attacking side of the game is where he really thrives and because of that, Mullen is right to say that defending isn’t exactly a key part of his skillset.