Jeremie Frimpong was once part of Manchester City's famed academy but was told he had no future at the Etihad - now at the top of his game, he could have also been a crucial player for Man United
Jeremie Frimpong has previously been a transfer target for Manchester United.
Jeremie Frimpong has previously been a transfer target for Manchester United. (
Image: Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images.)
The Bayer Leverkusen team that nearly completed the 2023/24 season unbeaten is unlikely to ever be forgotten.
After lifting their first Bundesliga title with ease, winning 28 and drawing six of their 34 matches, Xabi Alonso's squad went into the Europa League final brimming with confidence. But a hat-trick from Ademola Lookman in their penultimate game of the season handed them their first loss of the campaign.
Despite the shock setback in Dublin, Leverkusen bounced back three days later by defeating FC Kaiserslautern 1-0 in the DFB-Pokal final, ending the season with 43 wins and a domestic double. Alonso was suddenly Europe's most sought-after coach.
Leverkusen's huge success last season was a collective effort, with numerous players enjoying career-best campaigns, as shown by five of them scoring double figures. Among them was former Manchester City academy star Jeremie Frimpong, who netted 14 goals across all competitions - only bested by team-mates Florian Wirtz (18) and Victor Boniface (21).
Having joined Leverkusen from Celtic in January 2021, where he played primarily as a right-back, the idea of scoring double figures in a single season must have seemed far-fetched to the Dutch international in the past. However, the 24-year-old has been transformed into an attacking wing-back by Alonso.
Since then, he has skyrocketed to being one of the top players in his position - thanks to the Spaniard’s exceptional coaching - a stark contrast to when City told him he wasn't part of their future plans.
Speaking with SportBible earlier this year, Frimpong recalled: "I kept playing [an age group] down and I think when I was under-23s at City, I remember going in for a new contract and that's when I knew my path at City was different.
"They were talking about how I couldn't get into the team and were comparing me to other players in the academy that were doing better than me. I thought, 'Yeah, I clearly don't have a future here,' so I’ve got to take a different step.
Jeremie Frimpong never made a first-team appearance for Manchester City. (
Image:
Mark Fletcher/NurPhoto via Getty Images.)
"I remember going to that meeting and he was saying, 'You're too small' and it'll be too physical. That's when I was thinking, 'Oh s***, where am I going to go?'"
The answer was Celtic. He moved to the Glasgow club in September 2019, signing a four-year deal. However, he made his mark so quickly in Scotland that he earned a transfer to Germany less than two years later, joining Leverkusen, who were under the leadership of Peter Bosz at the time.
But it was under Alonso, who took charge in October 2022, that Frimpong's potential began to truly unfold. He ended the 2022/23 season with an impressive 20 goal involvements, the majority of which came after Alonso’s appointment.
The 2023/24 season, Alonso's first full term in charge, saw Frimpong reach even greater heights. He scored 14 goals and provided 12 assists, playing a key role in Leverkusen's league and cup triumphs.
Jeremie Frimpong was outstanding for Bayer Leverkusen last season. (
Image:
Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images.)
However, prior to Frimpong becoming a Bundesliga sensation, Manchester United had made contact with his representatives ahead of the 2023 summer transfer window. As Frimpong's impressive 2023/24 season unfolded, United kept an eye on him and even considered making a move for him in the 2024 summer window.
His performances in Germany at the time had United fans excited about the possibility of him being signed by compatriot Erik ten Hag. He was in scintillating form, establishing himself as the best wing-back in the world at that point.
It was reported that he had a £33.5million release clause in his contract that would be active until mid-July, making it even more tempting to sign him ahead of the current season. But a move never materialised, meaning Frimpong is still in Germany and continues to play a crucial role for Leverkusen.
In reality, signing the Dutch international would have made little sense in the summer. United had decided to stick with Ten Hag, who played with a back-four, and Frimpong is a wing-back rather than a traditional full-back.
However, had recently-appointed United head coach Ruben Amorim been at the helm, a move for Frimpong would have made complete sense. The 39-year-old head coach, who has been in charge of United for a month, is known for his trademark 3-4-3 formation which heavily relies on wing-backs.
Jeremie Frimong has excelled under Xabi Alonso. (
Image:
Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images.)
The system requires wing-backs to provide width and support to the attackers. Frimpong would be tailor-made for the role, such is the way Alonso has evolved his individual game in Germany.
Despite not being the most reliable in defence, he excels in attack, as evidenced by his 26 goal contributions last season. When he pushes forward, the right-sided centre-back covers any gaps left behind.
Under Amorim, United have adopted a similar strategy, with the likes of Diogo Dalot and Amad Diallo stepping into the new wing-back role. Frimpong's electrifying pace allows him to cover the length of the pitch, even though his main duty is to attack.
With two goals and seven assists in 22 games this season, he continues to be a creative force for Leverkusen from the right flank. Had Amorim already been at United in the summer, signing Frimpong would have been a top priority.
And if things had gone another way, both United and City could have fielded the promising wing-back when they face each other in Sunday’s Manchester Derby. The two Manchester clubs have struggled massively this season, with a Frimpong-shaped hole arguably visible in both teams' set-ups.
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