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Stephen Kelly |
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STEPHEN Kelly, Blues Mr Reliable right-back, is being targeted for transfer by Fulham.
Kelly, the only outfield player in the country to clock up every single minute of action in the Premier League last season, is wanted by the Cottagers to address their problem position.
Paul Stalteri has returned to Spurs after loan and Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is prepared to tempt Blues with a significant offer for the 24-year-old.
Ireland international Kelly cost an initial £750,000 (which has since risen to £1 million) two summers ago from Spurs and it would probably take three or four times that amount for Blues to consider selling one of their assets.
Fulham began the season with Chris Baird at full-back and Moritz Volz has also been used there.
After Stalteri’s departure, and the release of the versatile Carlos Bocanegra, Hodgson is keen to secure new blood.
Sweden’s Fredrik Stoor is also interesting Hodgson, and it has been reported that negotiations have been opened with his Norwegian club Rosenborg.
But other Premier League outfits and clubs in France and Germany are also keen on the 24-year-old, who impressed during Euro 2008.
Stoor is a relative newcomer on the international scene - he only made his national team debut in January - but looks as if he’s going to be a regular for years to come.
Kelly has been a model of defensive consistency for Blues and his last-ditch tackling and covering to stop seemingly certain goals has become something of a trademark.
Considered by most observers as runner-up to winger Sebastian Larsson in the player-of-the-season stakes, Kelly is one of the best athletes at the club.
Under Steve Bruce, Kelly was asked to tuck in and sit to protect the centre-halves a little more and, although he has never been a Gary Rowett-style raider, his forward instincts have perhaps been somewhat curbed.
Kelly can also play at centre-half, and has stepped into such an emergency role on occasions with aplomb for Blues.
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