Tottenham enraged Manchester United with their pursuit of Ezekiel Fryers. He has just been released by Crystal Palace.
Tottenham’s Zeki Fryers and Giancarlo Gallifuoco in action with Everton’s Courtney Duffus
It is four-and-a-half years since Tottenham Hotspur enraged Manchester United by signing Ezekiel Fryers from Standard Liege.
Fryers had been pursued by Spurs while at Manchester United, who had refused to sanction his move.
The promising defender signed in Belgium instead before switching to Tottenham six months later, a move which Sir Alex Ferguson felt was a blatant attempt to get around United.
Tottenham denied any impropriety as Ferguson demanded an inquiry, The Guardian reported.
It was one of Spurs’ chairman Daniel Levy’s most audacious moves, but the problem was the hassle was all for nothing.
Ledley King Guest XI’s David Ginola and Scott Parker in action with Tottenham’s Zeki Fryers (R)
While Fryers had started to break into United’s side, he struggled to make an impression at Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs let him leave to join Crystal Palace 18 months later, with Mauricio Pochettino taking a quick look at him after taking over in 2014 and sanctioning his departure.
Fryers has not gone on to prove him wrong and show what all the fuss was about.
Crystal Palace announced last week they will release Fryers at the end of this month, and it is not a surprise.
Southampton’s Jordy Clasie in action with Crystal Palace’s Zeki Fryers
In three years he made only 14 appearances, fewer than the 16 he managed for Tottenham, while being sent on loan to Rotherham United and Ipswich Town.
The former England under-19 international is now 24, and needs to drop down a level if he is to establish himself once again.
Sir Alex Ferguson might well have been left spitting feathers by Daniel Levy back in early 2013, but all these years on there are no winners from the controversy, least of all Fryers.
Watford’s Miguel Layun (R) in action with Rotherham’s Zeki Fryers
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