Munich coach heaps praises on Claasen

Daylon Claasen looks to be profiting from a switch in position at German Bundesliga II side 1860 Munich and has been singled out as the most-improved player in pre-season at the club.

Claasen was assessing his options last week with interest from the Major League Soccer and an unnamed PSL club.

That appears to have drawn a response from 1860 Munich coach Torsten Fröhling, who was lavish in his praise of the 25-year-old this week.

Claasen has been switched to right-back in the last few matches and excelled, playing a full game in a 3-1 loss to top-flight Werder Bremen, his side's first defeat in six pre-season games.

"Daylon has been the discovery of the training camp," Fröhling told reporters.

"He has become more aggressive and has got a second wind [at the club]. He has always worked hard to fit into the team."

Fröhling added that Claasen would benefit further from learning German as language issues had held him back to some degree.

1860 start their new season next week Sunday with an away trip to Heidenheim, where it looks as though Claasen will be the first-choice right-back, another sweeping change in his career.

Having joined the German side on a three-year contract at the start of last season, he battled with injury and illness in his first season and played little.

Now with a new lease of life as a right-back, the smart money suggests he could stay and battle on for the team as they seek to turn a relegation battle last season into a promotion push in the coming campaign.