Is Fletcher about to make the first team step up?

Kristian Fletcher was a relatively low key signing when he was announced as a Swansea City player in the summer as he joined on loan from DC United until the end of the year.

Fletcher signed the loan deal after 12 months at DC United and having scored one goal and two assists in his fifteen appearances for the club.    His signature in Washington came just three months after his professional debut for Loudon and he arrived in Swansea highly rated and with a view that he would be part of the Under-21s set up to heighten his development.

But there is a growing belief that he may find himself part of the first team squad before the loan deal is due to expire although it was a suggestion talked down a little by Michael Duff yesterday when the subject came up in his weekly press briefing ahead of the weekend visit of leaders Leicester City.

“We need to see more of him,” said Duff. “I’ve seen him play a couple of times in the 21s. He’s supposed to have trained with us twice already, but he was injured for a couple of weeks. Then the 21s had Covid, so there’s been circumstances meaning he hasn’t been able to.

“But we want to get eyes on him. He’s come in and he’s settled. He’s a young man coming from a different country. So let him be and let him settle. His performances have been good. The next part is to look at him in a first-team environment. But where he’s come from it doesn’t mean he’s automatically going to get a contract. He has to be good enough. He has to be better than what we got.

“But he’s come in and proved himself to be useful. The next step is to have a look at him with the first team and see where he sits from there. We don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but it’s outside-the-box thinking. The context we’ve got and where he’s come from, it might work. It might not.

“But we don’t want to put too much pressure on the lad. He’s a young boy. He’s come in and done great. We’ll have a look at him and take it from there. I think he wants to play in Europe. He’s made it quite clear. We’ll wait and see. I don’t want to say too much expectation and pressure on him. He’s a young boy trying to find his way. We’ll integrate him into the first-team training. It won’t be every day. It’ll be certain sessions.

“If you’re doing well you deserve an opportunity.”

It is a refreshing view from the Swans boss that will not just be music to the years of Fletcher but anybody else that currently sits in the Under-21 squad and has first team ambition.  Duff is a believer in rewarding hard work and that could pay some dividends for Fletcher in the next couple of months even if it doesn’t actually lead to a first team apperance.

It is also clear that Fletcher himself is ambitious as was outlined in his opening interview with the club shortly after his signing.

“I’m very excited for this new challenge and new experience, I’m ready for it,” said Fletcher.

“The MLS has it’s own playing style, especially because it’s kind of new. The UK is the peak of football in the world.  To play football in the UK is the dream of many footballers, especially players in the United States.

“To be here is kind of a dream, I’ve been playing football since I was a young kid and being here is a huge step in my goals.  I’ve come here with an open mindset, and I’m ready to learn anything and to do my best.

“I have a few short-term and long-term goals. For example, I really want to make my mark in the short time I have here and progress my knowledge and skills.  I want to score and contribute as much as I can, and get as minutes in the legs as possible.

“It is the first time I’ve lived away from my family and friends, although I have done a lot of travelling for football in the last 10 years.

“I’m very excited to get on that pitch with the team. They’ve welcomed me already and I feel very comfortable here, it really is a dream to play over here.

“I’m fully invested in making my time here count, and I want to help as much as I can.”

Wise words all round from an eighteen year old finding his way in a difficult world of professional football.    But certainly one who is determined to take all the chances that come his way.