Thai trio head for Blues

July 25, 2007

Thaksin Shinawatra

NEW Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has invited three players from the Thailand national team over to the Premier League club for a trial.

Shinwatra told the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) that he wanted to give a number of players from his homeland a chance to prove themselves at the club and consequently the FAT recommended teenage striker Teerasil Daengda, Suree Sukha and Kiatprawut Saiwaeo.

Thailand recently shone in the AFC Asian Cup - a tournament which they are co-hosts of - and were only denied a place in the quarter-finals when they lost to Australia in their final group game.

Teerasil did not feature in any of the games in the competition but is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the country.

But 21-year-old centre-back Kiatprawut came to prominence with a superb display in Thailand's 2-0 win over Oman in their Group A AFC Asian Cup game while full-back Suree also put in a number of eye-catching displays in the competition.

FAT president Worawi Makudi told The Nation: "I believed our football standard and player ability are as good as other countries. The only difference is that the players have not had the opportunity as many others.

"I think the three would fare well in the trial. They are still young and have a strong desire to play in the Premier League."

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Stevieblue, Stockport (25/07/2007 at 09:04)

I dont care where they come from,if they can do the business they are hired.i cant think of any logical arguement against this proposal.CTID AND BEYOND

Once a blue always a blue - CTID, Denton (25/07/2007 at 09:16)

Don't see any harm in giving these lads a chance, Only can be good publicity for the club.

proudtobeblue (25/07/2007 at 09:17)

they may be good enough to have a few games for the reserves which will improve their skill levels, but realistically that is it. still, if having them here in the reserves sells a few shirts in Thailand!

Steve Giles, Plymouth (25/07/2007 at 09:18)

Fair shout. Give em a go and if they are good enough then great, they are good enough. If not then fine also. It really doesn't matter where they are from. Until 2002 world cup the Senegal and African players has never had a chance now guys like Essien, Drogba etc are the best in the world.
Go for it Frankie!!

Chicken Teriyaki Boy, Manchester (25/07/2007 at 09:18)

Give them a trial but don't sign just for the sake of it - can't see Sven being too pleased. What next, Dr Thaksin insisting on them actually playing?

HulmeLoon, The Fine City of Manchester (25/07/2007 at 09:20)

I have no problems with this at all...nothing wrong with players coming over for trial as long as Sven keeps overall control of team affairs...you never know..we may just unearth a gem..... Frank did say this when the takeover was going through..and we should not be surprised at all by this move.

Spindash, Bury (25/07/2007 at 09:23)

Nothing wrong with this - if they're good enough, they stay, if they're not, they go back.

Brother G, My Blue Heaven (25/07/2007 at 09:27)

No harm in havng a look,bring em on!

steve in staffs (25/07/2007 at 09:28)

if frank wants two or three thais in the squad so be it, this will elevate us overnight into the biggest uk supported club in thailand and all big prem clubs need massive support and extra income from the far east. read also there have been serious protests in bangkok against the military junta the same junta that toppled frank.seems our frank is not as bad as some would want us to believe. i do not care a dot where the players come from as long as the club moves forward and with sven and frank i am sure that will happen.

timkendall, Japan (25/07/2007 at 09:32)

Thought we might have to do this, and actually not a bad thing. Much along the same lines as the Sun Jihai acquisition!

Just for you information... the club game with the biggest television audience ever was a game between Man City and Everton in the 2004/05 season where we were both entertaining Chinese players in our teams.

Players like this generate revenue, even if they are sitting on the bench for most of their time in the Prem

tolpuddleman, heywood (25/07/2007 at 09:35)

...is this the way things are going to be in future ? Owners deciding who should come to the club ?

BlueBaron (25/07/2007 at 09:41)

If Frank wants to have a few Thai lads at the club for whatever reason - then you can't really argue. Football is now a business and if part of his marketing strategy is to raise the club's profile in Thailand then he's entitled to do what he can to achieve this. If it is to raise his personal profile, then again, he owns the business and most businessmen are after profile and prestige. I'm sure Sven was well aware of his intentions when he took over and has some say in the way in which these trials are undertaken and feels confident that the introduction on Thai players into the club at whatever level can be managed without being detrimental to the performce (ultimately of the business). Having a few Thais on trial at the club or playing for the reserves is not the worst thing a chairman could do - it shouldn't affect the club and should raise the profile of City in Asia. Also, if you look at the positive side, it gives three lads the chance to come to a great club and play with much better players where before they would have little opportunity to do so. As we have a strong policy of giving players opportunity (from the academy), then why not with the best from Thailand? Asia has a huge potential player base that will, eventually create world class players, so if City can establish a route for them, then it will benefit us in the future in the same way as kids now might choose to come to our academy ahead of other clubs because here they have a chance.

Karem, Roen (25/07/2007 at 09:41)

Oh man! Is he doing this only to get popular in Thailand!!!??

Worthy, Timperley (25/07/2007 at 09:48)

The saying 'Never look a gift horse in the mouth' applies, although I haven't a clue what a gift horse is or why you shouldn't look it in the mouth? If they're up to it then why not? Either way, it raises the club's profile in Thailand, which is one of Frank's stated aims.

g2thesmith (25/07/2007 at 09:51)

thaksin trying to help i feel is good for city, these players could turn out to be very schrewd signings and could save us many millions if they are good enough.. our squad is small how it is so i welcome these yet if they arnt good enough and in first 11 problems will arise though i would be suprised if sven lets thaksin choose the team.

O'Fortuna (25/07/2007 at 09:59)

I told you this was no rumour. The problem is this kind of thing can scare of top players. Any top player considers City and then see's the owner choosing who is on trail who may be signed when in fact they already have a good manager the player may think "wierd setup..give that a wide birth" a prospective player wants to see potential, a great manager, and a stable set up that does not have an owner saying ooooooh buy him!

hobit, Rochdale (25/07/2007 at 10:08)

FAT? oh dear MUEN is that all you v'e got. Genius.... No problem with City trialing anyone, Sven will have the last say, he won't embarass himself by putting players into the City squad who are n't quality.Dr.Frank wants them to gain experience at the reserves level. You don't know we may come across some talent. The far east is football mad and it won't be long before you see quality players coming from thailand and its surrounding countries. Japan, Korea and China have decent players playing in the top leagues. Its a finger City should have firmly placed in the pie and best of luck to these 3 thai kids. CTID.

blue emu, salford (25/07/2007 at 10:10)

Here we go again.

Rick, Glos (25/07/2007 at 10:13)

We should be looking globally for talent, and Asia is hugely untapped at present.

Edski Vega, Nottingham (25/07/2007 at 10:22)

Why not?

There are so much kids come to the academy for trials all the time. If we can find an undiscovered gem then great..... these boys will only be signed if they are very good!

If they show potential then we have a great youth set-up that can improve them beyond recognition.

Then if one of them does play for us, we may actually be able to steal some of the RAGS most loyal fans. Afterall Thailand is the home of most Man U fans.

The moon made of sweds (25/07/2007 at 10:22)

Undecided.

However if there good enough and free, it can only be good for us.

Haven't seen any of them so can't really say anymore.

In Sven We Trust

O'Fortuna (25/07/2007 at 10:33)

We have a net spend on players of only around 5million and now we have THREE thai's we never heard of on trial!!! only us! If Sven is told to play them (assuming they not good enough) then Sven will leave. I don't think Sven would have accepted any job without total autonomy to pick and play who he wants. Can anyone think of a club who's performance has improved as a direct result of the owner medelling in who gets bought and played? Can think of a few who's teams went downhill the moment an owner woke up and decided he was a scout and a manager and a football tactician.

StevoDevo, Bolton (25/07/2007 at 10:36)

I expected this might happen - as long as he doesn't expect Sven to play sub-standard players then I see no problem with it. You never know - we may uncover the odd gem.

arthurdawkins (25/07/2007 at 10:37)

Oh dear.You old envy bugs !!
Thai team is terrible..And all this about.. The In-Form
Italian...He played against
Donny, and some Swede team that nobody has heard of.You
lot are grasping at straws
again.So hes suddenly become
great has he.? Well you had a
good look at him and the abuse you came out with was
a distgrace.I hope he makes it and then he can tell you
to stick your heads where..
The Sun Never Gets...GOD ITS
HOT HERE...THAIART... please
love another Chang please..

j the el, mancunia (25/07/2007 at 10:51)

Ere franky, you stick to giving us yer money eh kid.....?

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