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Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic believes that one player resembled an England defender following a successful pre-season trip to Turkey.
Hull City have completed their pre-season trip to Turkey, where Sergej Jakirovic’s side were tested against Super Lig teams.
Despite issues off the field, including Hull City’s current fee restrictions on transfers and loans, Jakirovic got his Tigers side ticking quite nicely against difficult opposition.
The final test of the trip to Turkey, where Acun Ilicali personally invited a selection of Hull City fans to join him, saw Jakirovic’s team face off against Kasimpasa, with the Tigers running out as 1-0 victors.
Following the full-time whistle, Jakirovic gave his thoughts on the tie, singling out one youngster, who he thought showed shades of Man City and England star John Stones.
Sergej Jakirovic compares Hull City ace Pharrell Brown to John Stones
Hull City’s current financial situation means that several youngsters are likely to be handed minutes this season, which is why Sergej Jakirovic has turned to them in their pre-season trip.
One of whom has played far beyond his years is Hull City defender Pharrell Brown, who has been heavily praised by the Tigers’ boss.
“Yes, especially little Brown,” said Jakirovic, via Hull Live, when asked if the youngsters had performed. “He’s very talented with a very good potential, but also others, such as Tyrell (Sellars-Fleming), Mason (Burstow), and Cathal McCarthy, who was with us for the first time against Lincoln.
“I didn’t know at all that he’s there. His nickname, I call him (John) Stones from Manchester City because he understands football very well. They’re trying. I said last time that it’s a very big opportunity for them. You never know who will jump out.
“Yes, I love that very, very much (that Brown is direct and takes his man on). This is not my style of football all the time, it’s modern football because if we do everything to give you isolation one against one on the wings, you have the ability to go one against one, you need to risk every time, and you are allowed to lose every ball.
“Yes, of course, he has given me something to think about. He has proved it in every game, every training session; he proved that he can do it. For me, this is most important. It doesn’t matter what your name is, what matters is what you’re showing on the pitch.”
One other notable shining star on Hull City’s trip to Turkey was Tyler Sellars-Fleming, who provided excitement in front of goal by notching a handful of goals.
The one benefit of Hull City’s current financial situation
On the surface, the current restrictions that Hull City are placed under are set to significantly hinder their ability to bolster the squad this season.
Hull City will need to turn to free agents in the market, as things stand, for which there are limited players available.
But, on the positive side, it gives the Hull City academy players the chance to prove their worth at Championship level. We have already seen Pharrell Brown show his worth across pre-season, and it will no doubt be enough for him to be handed a chance of first-team action this season.