Fulham boss Parker hails keeper Areola

Scott Parker says he can’t recall any other keeper having the same impact in his first Premier League season as Alphonse Areola.

The Fulham head coach also believes a call-up to the France national team is merited for his shot-stopper, especially as Hugo Lloris has suffered an indifferent spell with Spurs.

Areola won his side two extra points at the very end of the 1-0 win over Sheffield United last Saturday with a point-blank save from Jayden Bogle.

He’s been in much the same superb form since his loan move from Paris St-Germain in September.

Parker said: “Can I recall any keeper having such an impact in the first season. No, I can’t, to be honest with you.

“His first season here in English football was always a challenge, especially for a keeper.

“It’s a difficult position to come into joining a new league and he has played fantastic.

“My main aim, my focus for Alphonse, is to keep improving, and if France come calling then it will be unbelievable for Alphonse and nothing short of what he deserves.”

Parker agreed foreign players, especially keepers, often need a bedding-in period. But he insists the 6ft 5ins Frenchman came ready-made.

“Before he came to the club, we looked at it and thought .what do we need’?” Parker said.

“Alphonse’s physicality, presence, bravery as a keeper was something that me and Rob (Burch, Fulham goalkeeping coach) highlighted.

“He’s a very aggressive keeper, a front-foot keeper, who wants to come and command his box, come and collect. Physically, he’s big and very, very agile.

“They were all the areas we looked at and they were the areas he ticked those boxes. And we’ve not been shocked in any way by that.

“He commands his box, he’s comfortable with bodies around him, and he’s a good shot stopper.”