Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley has admitted he is not concerned about Freddie Issaka’s lack of game time at Bristol Rovers.
The 19-year-old has been with the Pilgrims for over a decade and hit the headlines in 2021 when he became the club’s youngest ever player. Just 34 days after his 15th birthday, he came on as a second half substitute during their EFL Cup clash against Newport County.
Last season was the teenager’s most productive for his boyhood club, where he made 19 Championship appearances. Following Plymouth’s relegation to League One, he featured in two of their opening five games before the decision was made to send him out on loan.
The winger joined League Two’s Bristol Rovers on a season-long deal with the hope that he would be able to enjoy regular senior football.
Cleverley Not Concerned About Issaka Game Time
Bristol Rovers endured a nightmare start upon their return to the fourth tier, losing their opening three games. However, they are unbeaten since, winning five and drawing two of their last seven league outings.
As such, Issaka has had to be patient and remains on the fringes of the squad. He has played just 11 minutes of League Two football whilst he was an unused substitute in last Saturday’s win over Salford City. This isn’t a concern for Cleverley though, who states that breaking into the team is the next part of his development:
“Freddie’s been here since eight, nine years old, and Freddie’s probably always been viewed as the young player, the academy product, the star boy coming through.
“You can get wrapped in bubble wrap a little bit. Freddie’s out there now, he’s got to go prove to a manager, he’s got to go knock on a manager’s door and say ‘why am I not playing? What have I got to do to do that?’
“He’s got to do that. He’s got to come on and be reliable if they need a goal. It’s all a big part of Freddie’s learning. Not every loan move is the perfect loan move.
“I have no reservations about sending a player somewhere where it’s going to be tougher.”
Writer’s View
This is really pragmatic management from Tom Cleverley. Issaka is clearly a talented young player but he has joined a club that are flying at the moment and will need to be patient. It’s a long old season and Bristol Rovers will likely need his services over the coming weeks and months. As the Pilgrims boss says, it’s then up to him to grasp that opportunity with both hands.
