Thursday, 1st August, 2013
For Turkey Under-20 international Kerim Frei, Fulham is merely a springboard towards "better teams", even if he is biding his time with a steady rise through the Craven Cottage ranks.
Frei’s international career took a major twist when, as a teenager, he switched from playing for his adopted country of Switzerland to playing for the country his father hails from.
By his own admission, Turkey has been good to him, and he took part in this summer’s Under-20 World Cup, but he had already started another chapter of his career three years ago.
Fulham came calling in 2010 and his progression through the age groups saw him make the senior squad in 2011/12, and he is now hoping he can push on even further.
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"Every player wants to wear the shirt of the world’s best teams; these are always the best targets", he told Turkish newspaper Milliyet.
"My ambitions are big. For now I want to give my best performance in every match that I play for Fulham. And if I am successful, that will be a good platform from which to get a chance to play for better teams.
"I want to improve my performance in every match. Only then will the opportunities come before me."
With 23 Premier League games under his belt, Frei has thanked both club coach Martin Jol and fellow midfielder Damien Duff for their help, especially given the progress he has made through injuries.
"I’m trying to learn something from [Duff]", Frei added. "It is a great opportunity to be in the same team as an experienced and valuable player like him.
"Seeing his training methods and his professionalism is very important in order to improve myself.
"I have to also thank Martin Jol for his contribution. He trusted me enough to let me play in the Premier League. He is always honest and forthright regarding the player-coach relationship."
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