Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin gives update on £250k left-back’s first-team debut prospects

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin says summer left-back signing Mitchel Frame has started to “make the journey” towards a first-team debut over the “last four or five” weeks.

The Dons paid £250,000 to land the 19-year-old from Premiership rivals Celtic in the summer.

In the official signing announcement, Thelin called him an “exciting talent” and “a forward-thinking full back, with pace and physicality” who fits how he wants his side to play and the “expectations” of his wide defenders.

However, since his arrival, Frame’s Reds action has mainly been limited to the Aberdeenshire competitions with the club’s B team.

His highest-profile moment so far has been an administrative error which saw him play in the KDM Evolution Trophy while cup-tied. 

Aberdeen also signed German Emmanuel Gyamfi from Schalke, to be their first-choice left-back, in the summer.

And though Gyamfi, 21, has had three spells out of action with quad and hamstring issues this term, rather than draft in Frame – who has yet to appear in a first-team matchday squad – Thelin has turned to the likes of skipper Graeme Shinnie, Nicky Devlin, Alexander Jensen and the now-injured Gavin Molloy to move position to provide cover.

In Wednesday’s, 3-3 draw with St Mirren, Jensen – normally a right-back – played left wing-back, putting in an energetic shift, which included teeing up Topi Keskinen to hit the post. 

But fans have questioned why a right-footer is being deployed in the position, limiting the Reds’ crosses into the box from left-side, rather than the left-footed Frame.

Asked in his pre-Dundee press conference whether he is tempted to give Frame his chance – with the Dons boss having earlier praised youth academy graduate Dylan Lobban’s deliveries from right-back – Thelin suggested he does not yet think the youngster is ready.

He said: “I think that will come naturally when we think Frame is there – I think it’s always important to all these players we have invested in.

“We invest in them and we really believe in them.

“But they also have to make the steps and make the journey.

“I always believe it’s going to be so obvious when they deserve it, in the training session, that they push themselves into the team.”

In the last four or five weeks, Frame has improved, Thelin says

Thelin implied the penny has dropped with Frame about what he needs to do to earn an Aberdeen chance in just the last few weeks.

“Mitchell is adapting now,” Thelin said.

“I think, his last four or five weeks, he has been improving.

“He’s more stronger, he’s more taking (responsibiliy), showing himself much more.

“So it will come.

“I’m really convinced that Mitchell, if he keeps working like he’s doing, is going to get the opportunity because he deserves it.

“And that’s what we’re seeing. He’s progressing a lot.”

Thelin defends Jensen in left-back role

Thelin also praised regular Jensen, 24, for his “support” in switching sides – and says he is working with the Dane to improve his right-footed deliveries from the left flank.

The Dons manager added: “Regarding Jensen, he has done a lot of things, but it’s always difficult sometimes to find a rhythm with his right foot (on the left).

“But I also think he can help us because he is a good crosser and he has taken good responsibility to change sides, to support.

“Now we’re working to get better with his right foot from the left side.”

[Source: Press and Journal]