Trevor Morgan praises 'very talented' Tyrese Francois following Premier League debut

As the Premier League season came to a close overnight, 20-year-old Tyrese Francois became the 53rd Australian to appear in the English top flight. 

Having been part of Fulham's academy since 2013, the midfielder was handed his maiden first team appearance earlier this season in the Carabao Cup. 

But with a quarter of an hour remaining of the Cottagers' final league fixture against Newcastle United on Monday morning (AEST), the Sydney-born youngster was introduced by Scott Parker for his long-awaited league debut.

While he is an energetic box-to-box midfielder by preference, Francois' first taste of the top flight saw him slot into the left back role as Fulham's season came to a close. 

In the process, he became the second young Australian to debut in the Premier League this season, after Caleb Watts was handed his Southampton debut back in January. 

For Francois, the milestone moment arrives just as he prepares to travel to Spain for the upcoming Australia U-23's training camp in Marbella - a squad including a majority of overseas-based potential Olyroos and men’s national team players of the future that Watts will also be a member of. 

National Technical Director and Joeys Head Coach, Trevor Morgan, who will be in attendance as Tokyo 2020 preparations ramp up with four friendlies against Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Romania and Mexico, is looking forward to seeing what Francois has to offer in Green and Gold. 

"He's a very talented young player," Morgan said.

"I saw Tyrese as a very young boy before he moved to England to Fulham, and I actually watched him play for their U20's a couple of years ago, at their training ground.

"He's an exciting young talent, clever left foot, great in transition and has a chance to control the tempo of the game. So I'm really excited to see what he does when he comes into the national team."

Speaking with Michael Zappone, Morgan also provided an insight into what the national teams' coaching staff are looking to gain out of the upcoming May/June FIFA Window activity.

"We have four top matches coming up and a really great chance to see some overseas talent that haven't had the opportunity to wear the Green and Gold for a long time," he said. 

"We feel that these are great preparation because they're such different type of opponents, there's a real mix of the style of football. And I think that will help us expose the players who can handle playing teams from all around the world.

"The final (Olympic squad) decision will be made in late June but for this squad travelling away now, obviously the main focus on the players from overseas."

 

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