Cloggy's Transfer Review - Fabio Daprelà

Last updated : 03 August 2009 By Plymouth_hammer

Before I start on this blog, I’d just like to take a moment to praise a wonderful person, a man who’s not only been an absolute legend in English football, but also left his mark on Europe. I’m of course talking about Sir Bobby Robson.

I recently read an interview with former Blackburn defender Andre Ooijer (who worked under Robson at PSV back in 1999).  He had this to say: “That man didn’t only look to the public as a gentleman, he WAS a gentleman towards us the players as well. You’d go on holiday and have a chat with him before you went and he’d come up to you when you got back and asked you about the things you told him weeks or even months ago. He really did care about the players.  The man just oozed class.”

I myself was lucky enough to meet him once, about 10 years ago when he was in his second stint at PSV Eindhoven.  I said to him: “you’ll always have a place here at PSV Mr. Robson” and pausing for a moment to give me his autograph he replied: “Son, I sure like to think so, especially with the beers you have got around here.”  For some reason it has always stuck with me. And I know now why; it summed up the man’s character perfectly; always the frivolous, cheerful, chirpy character who never had a bad word to say about anyone. A modest man who fans and players could share a laugh and a drink with. Not one who’d simply step into his car after training and jet off to his hotel or house. No, he was one still in touch with the ‘working class’ people.

It is only fitting therefore that this humble scout will raise his glass to you Sir Bobby, because a man like you must never be forgotten. Rest in peace for eternity.

It’s been a long quiet period for the Hammers on the transfer market.  Suddenly out of nowhere we’ve bought ourselves a young left back. That’s why this week, I’ll be casting my eye on our latest acquisition: Swiss U-19 international Fabio Daprelà 

Born in the south of Switzerland from the region of Tichino (a lovely part of Switzerland, pays to spend a holiday there with the kids), Daprela began his career at SC Young Fellows Juventus, a small club based in Zurich. Only 12, he was snapped up by neighbors Grasshoppers in 2003, after they witnessed his potential. He made his debut for the club in blue and white in 2007, and would play 28 games in his period at Grasshoppers.

It is however, at international stage that he entered into the spotlights, representing Switzerland at the U-19’s championship in Ukraine this summer.  He played in all of the Swiss their games as they reached the semi-finals were they were beaten by the hosts.

Due to the fact that I’ve had too much spare time on my hands and not enough napkins to watch porn, I found myself watching the game Ukraine-Switzerland. Daprelà stood out as one of the best players on the pitch, even though his side did lose in the end. His marauding runs forward with the ball were delightful to see, his style of play reminded me of Yuri Zhirkov’s play at Euro 2008.  What I mean by that is that he wasn’t just content to sit back and prevent his opponent from putting crosses in, he actually wanted the ball and moved the play forward, ensuring that the Swiss their left winger could cut inside, adding a dimension to the Swiss their game.  A major plus about Fabio is that he’s got the stamina and energy to keep going for 90 minutes, non stop.  Nicknamed by his team mates ‘the locomotive’ Daprelà’s drive and energy will serve him well in the physically demanding Premier League.

Daprelà is also versatile enough to cover both at left wing in a 4-4-2 as well as centre half. The youngster is still a raw talent though, as he sometimes just get’s out of position, but presents the Hammers with calculated risk. He’s simply a rough diamond that needs some polishing. Nevertheless, nothing about the 1.80 meters long full back suggests that West Ham have made a mistake in signing him. Clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, Fiorentina, St Etienne and Lille OSC were vying for his signature, which goes to show the potential that this young lad has.

7/10

With this piece of information I type to you ‘goodbye’ as I’m off to the Greek Island of Kos first thing tomorrow for the next week and a half. But don’t worry, judging by the speed of which the transfer rumors are flowing, we’ll only have signed a new tea lady by the time I’m back.