So what of big JKPFF? What have we got? Well for a start to capture the
PSG club captain, a player with a wealth of French domestic and
European experience, and one as strong and commanding as this guy on a
free is a great piece of business. If we are dealing largely in Bosmans
the box score is good. JKPFF adds to an impressive list of recent free
imports from the French market.
His Career So Far
The big man has enjoyed successful spells with Lens, Monaco and PSG,
during which he has won every domestic honour going in France. At each
club he has been seen as central to the success they have had. He had a
superb spell with the excellent Lens side of the late 90's during which
he won Le Championnat and helped the club to a UEFA semi final. He got
a big move to Monaco in 2001 and then hit a slump due to injury. He was
shifted onto PSG on loan in 2003.
In his loan season he struck up a brilliant partnership with the then Parisien hero freddy Dehu. Dehu was a class act at the time. A classic sweeper and supreme reader of the game. FanFan added strength, pace to burn, an imposing physical presence, aerial ability and some good old fashioned steel. PSG were so
impressed that the club paid a decent sum to sign him on a three year
contract in the summer of 2004.
Those of you who follow French football
will remember the fuss that Dehu subsequently caused when he moved on
to sworn enemy Marseille that same summer. Things in Paris have never
really picked up since Dehu shot the crow. Despite being named as
Dehu's successor as club captain FanFan never really felt the club was
going in the right direction. He started making noises about leaving
midway through the season just ended. Et voila big Jose is a Bear on a
free.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The big man is just that, BIG. At just under 6 foot 3 and 86 kilos he's
only 4 kilos under the minimum for a heavyweight boxer. He is as you
would expect strong in the air. Very fit and a natural athlete the big
man has pace to burn. He takes few prisoners and is particularly strong
in the tackle. He is predominantly right footed (frankly his left peg
is good only for standing on). He has been strongest complementing a
libero playmaking sweeper. Dehu being the classic example. That way he
has a player who is stronger at the technical skill of reading the
game.
JKPFF is seen as being technically limited, but set in context
there is no footballing environment that is quite so demanding of
technical excellence in every position as in France. They are technique
geeks. But he is used to playing a style of football for clubs that
demand decent ability in link play and passing from centre halfs. You
rarely watch a French club that heaves it long from the back.
Translated to the SPL I am sure the guy will look comfortable.
Above all he has bags and bags of experience at all levels from
Champions league down. Nothing we face will take this guy by surprise.
And he is beyond doubt an on field leader.
A healthy half-way house between Bobo and Boum.