30th June 2017. Thats crept upon us quickly. It's amazing that at just 18 he's coming into his last year of a 3 year professional deal. Whilst I do think Bree has struggled since giving away a penalty at Shrewsbury his natural talent is immense. He has a great touch and strides forward with the same grace as Stones and Holgate did. I'm not sure if he's quite on their level defensively but he's certainly got the technical ability to go far. He could still yet make it as a midfielder. I watched the first half of the Stalybridge game yesterday on player and one thing that stood out was how much James Bree had grown. He looks a couple of inch taller and his muscle mass seemed to have increased dramatically. He looked more of a modern day centre half in build. I think this season Bree will show us all what he's about. It's a real chance to make a name for himself. I know Bree and his family were keen for him to stay at Barnsley and continue his development. He turned down Premier League approaches when he was 16. I wonder if the same stands now? Theres no reason for a club to come in and bid for him as they can see how he copes at Championship level first before coming in with a contract offer in January. With our recent record producing Stones and Holgate theres no doubt a club will take a punt with just a small compensation package to pay.
What is he then? He's played over 30 professional games and every one of them has been at fullback. He hasn't even looked like moving into centre midfield. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If he is indeed a midfielder rather than a full back, and I tend to agree he looks better striding over half-way with the ball and picking a pass than he does tracking a winger, then let's bite the bullet and play him there! I realise right/left back is a safe position to bed a youngster into first team football, but I hope we use him to his full potential before we either lose him cheaply or never quite tap fully into his undoubted talent.