By Chris Bailey
WHETHER it’s nature or nurture that separates the wheat from the chaff is a debate that has raged in philosophy lectures for centuries.
But, as a self-confessed glutton for punishment, Dael Fry does not waste time thinking about anything except hard work.
With a 6ft 1in frame that he is yet to fully fill out, the 19-year-old ticks off all the innate attributes needed as a defender, though one suspects his cultured right foot is particularly pleasing to Middlesbrough boss and former Spain centre-back Aitor Karanka.
His development this season, however, has been entrusted to Rotherham United and Alan Stubbs, who spent much of his career marshalling the backlines of Everton and Celtic.
Unsurprisingly, the two struck up a rapport before the ink had dried on the season-long loan deal – though Fry admits he’s never needed any other source of motivation apart from himself.
“To be the best you’ve got to put the hours in,” said Fry. “Since I first came to Boro as a youngster, I’d always start training an hour early and, when everyone went in to have their dinner, I was still out there and I’ve carried that through to Rotherham.
“My mind was already made up after I spoke to Alan Stubbs. I can always ask him for advice on certain things, or go through some video clips with him after a game.
“I look to those clips and see what I can change out on the pitch for next time – whether that’s making sure which foot to use when the full-backs cross into the box, improving my clearances with my weak foot, heading, stepping out of the box and playing the ball into dangerous areas. There’s always stuff to improve on.”
After signing a five-year deal on transfer deadline day, Fry could have been forgiven for thinking he’d be playing in the Premier League this season. Instead, he landed in the middle of a Championship dogfight hours later.
Fry would likely have either sat in the stands or been parked on the bench for Boro, whereas with Rotherham the teenager ended last month having started five games in little more than a fortnight.
“I’m delighted to be given a chance in the Championship and the manager has put his trust in me. I’ll learn from the experience – I will definitely go back to Boro as a better player,” he insisted.
“The move actually took me by surprise a little bit. I’d just signed my contract and, on the same day, all of a sudden I was going to Rotherham.
“The contract shows they think a lot of me there and they see a lot of potential in my game. But the hard work starts here, I need to get in my extra practice to make that step up.
“I knew I wasn’t going to play much football this season, so still being a young lad I needed to get experience and I want to make the most of the opportunity.”
Alongside his Rotherham commitments, Fry will join up with the England Under-20s later this week for the first time since the entire coaching team underwent a shake-up in the wake of Sam Allardyce’s departure.
Aidy Boothroyd will now manage the Under-21s, with his former assistant Paul Williams taking the reins of the Under-20s, and Fry expects a seamless transition for the four nations tournament with the Netherlands, Germany and USA.
“I’ve worked with him a lot before and he is a top bloke. We’ll keep with what Aidy’s asked us to do,” added Fry, who also joins up with another Millers loanee in Chelsea‘s Izzy Brown.
“Being with England, you’re playing with the best talent at your age in the country and there’s a World Cup to look forward to in the summer.
“Every age group gets harder and takes a bit more to get used to. The game gets quicker and it’s a great challenge.”
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