Reading FC proved to be the making of Jimmy Kebe.
Joining from Lens back in January 2008, the Royals were unable to benefit from the Mali international straight away, with the winger failing to make too much of an impact during the early stages of his time in Berkshire.
But the club’s relegation back in the spring of 2008 actually worked out well for Kebe, who saw the likes of John Oster and Glen Little leave the club during the same year.
The following year, Bobby Convey also left the team, moving out of the Select Car Leasing Stadium for the 2008–09 season.
Jimmy Kebe’s success at Reading FC
Kebe was always going to get greater playing time in light of those departures, and in 2008–09, he made 41 league appearances while dishing out 12 assists and two goals.
He had the self-assurance to keep going after that season, and he had an excellent goal and assist record for the majority of his time in Berkshire.
For this, he can praise Brian McDermott, the former Arsenal player who had complete faith in players like him and Jobi McAnuff to defeat Championship full-backs.
McAnuff, Kebe, and Hal Robson-Kanu became important players as a result of the 4-4-2 system, but McDermott clearly placed a premium on wing play, which makes sense given Ian Harte’s ability to cross the pitch and Shaun Cummings’s increased athleticism while he was a Royal.
Cummings shown sufficient self-control to refrain from taking risks, allowing Kebe to freely express himself without continual concern for his defensive duties.
Kebe joined Reading at an advantageous moment, as the team was already well-managed and had many options on the right side. Michail Antonio was having difficulty getting playing time before leaving for Sheffield Wednesday, and Garath McCleary hadn’t joined until the summer of 2012.
The former Mali player, who was promoted with them in April 2012, will be frustrated that he could not retain them in the Premier League prior to his departure in the following year.
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