Why Seri’s real good option for the Tigers
Of all the players Hull City have been linked with since the end of their 2021-22 campaign, out-of-contract Fulham midfielder Jean Michael Seri is arguably the most exciting name thrown in the hat.
The Mail have been told the club’s interest in Seri is genuine and, if his wage demands can be met, there is little denying an Ivory Coast international who featured 33 times during the Cottagers’ title-winning Championship team would seem a strong addition.
Here we outline three main attributes that Seri would bring to the MKM Stadium.
An undeniable upgrade on last season’s options
Considering his pedigree, it would certainly be a surprise if Seri would not bring the calm head and experience that it was hoped, contrary to all real logical evidence, that Tom Huddlestone would provide when he was brought back to the MKM by Grant Mccann last August.
Whereas Huddlestone was a 34-year-old with question marks against his fitness levels having not kicked a ball for 19 months, Seri is closer to the peak of his powers at 30.
Huddlestone mustered just four league starts and 11 outings in total.
With Huddlestone not up to the task, Richie Smallwood filled the breach as the Tigers’ defensive midfield shield but, for all the former club captain’s strengths and the disappointment fans voiced at his services not being retained for next term, even he would probably concede he is not in Seri’s class.
The Redcar-born 31-year-old has proven himself as a serial League
One promotion winner, tasting success at that level with City, Blackburn and Rotherham but, aside from one seventh-placed finish with Middlesbrough, his seven other campaigns at second-tier level have been bottom-half-of-the-table struggles.
A big game and winning mentality
With a 2021-22 Championship winners medal still gleaming, Seri would arrive with a knowledge and proven ability of what is required to win games regularly in the second tier and to secure promotion. With 40 caps at senior international level and 32 appearances for Fulham during the 2018-19 Premier League season under his belt, he is unlikely to be fazed by any test the Tigers might face in 2022-23 either.
As recently as March, he was lining up against France and England for his country and, in 2019-20, he was facing the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-germain in the Champions League for Galatasaray.
A creator and a controller
Seri is primarily defined as a central defensive midfielder, but he is more than capable of making his presence felt as a creative force too.
Most comfortable controlling a game from the base of midfield, he is renowned for his impressive passing range.
According to infogol.com, he averaged 53 passes this season with a completion rate of 89 per cent. He loves being in possession of the ball and is capable of unlocking defences from a deep position, as is evidenced by his six assists in 2021-22.
His six shots on target suggest he is happier for others to hog the goalscoring limelight and, whilst at 5ft 6in, it is to be expected that he is not going to crash into too many tackles, a 2021-22 record of just two yellow cards demonstrates an admirable knack for staying on the right side of officials.