LIAM KELLY

AGE: 21 CLUB: READING POSITION: MIDFIELD VALUE: £3M 2016-17 APPS: 36 GOALS: 1

WHAT HAS HE GOT? LAST season Reading were unlucky. They impressed and only just failed to win promotion from the Championship. Young midfielder Liam Kelly caught the eye throughout. A chunky 5ft 6in player, he showed energy and attitude in a three-man midfield with the benefit of an anchorman sitting at the base of the triangle. I would like to have seen him get forward and support his striker more, although in a recent game I saw that was not his main role. He can drive for goal and he already has goals this season. When I saw him, he was a supplier of passes, a linkman keeping the team flowing and trying to establish a midfield rhythm. I was impressed with his attitude. For example, when robbed of possession Kelly (above) made a tremendous effort to track his opponent and recover the ball with a well-timed tackle. It was difficult to judge his competitive heading but he looked brave enough when challenging in centre field. His work rate is not bad even when caught on the wrong end of a one-two late on and obviously tiring. His manager kept him on the field which said everything. Obviously Jaap Stam trusts this young player and he will have better days. WHAT DOES HE NEED? IN his enthusiasm he twice chased a backpass to the visiting goalkeeper when he had little chance of winning the ball. He would have been better advised to conserve his energy, but this is hardly a major fault. In the game I saw, Reading were second best and it was not easy for him to get on the ball and influence the play. But when in possession he was careful with his passing, mainly playing short. I would like to have seen him play more searching passes, but for this you need willing front runners and this was only apparent in the first 20 minutes when Reading were truly in the game. There is no doubt Stam’s coaching caught the eye last season and under his tutelage I have no doubt scouts will be casting their eyes in Kelly’s direction.