NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
10 Africans unsettled in the English Premier League: #8 Victor Moses
The January transfer window is a few weekends away. In our anticipation and excitement of possible moves, we have taken to lay down 10 “unsettled” African stars in the English top flight, the Premier League. The Nigerian who hung up his international boots earlier this year also finds himself on the list.
Victor Moses of Chelsea in action during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea and Lyon at Stamford Bridge on August 7, 2018 in London, England.
(Aug. 6, 2018 - Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe)
Of course, it is nice to see the likes of Mo Salah, Percy Tau and Hakim Ziyech shine for their nations over the most recent international break but it also raises questions about some popular names who are finding themselves in sticky situations. There are a number of African players dubbed to be the next Sergio Ramos and Xavis of this world but are currently unsettled at club level. Their potential is endangered by their lack of game time. Here’s a list of the XI players whose progress has stalled. What better time to look at these than now when the January transfer window is fast encroaching?
RW – Victor Moses
At times, we make sacrifices in life with the hope of gaining a lot from those hard decisions. Often times, it pays off except for those specific times when the luck is not on our side. I think this best describes Victor Moses’ decision to retire from the national team to focus on his Chelsea career. The former Nigerian international resigned from playing for the Super Eagles shortly after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia before Sarri was announced as the new Chelsea boss. The Italian then made his way to the West London club and has since preferred Willian and Pedro ahead of him. In pre-season, Callum Hudson-Odoi who has a Ghanaian heritage shined in his absence and even more, the club is being linked to the unsettled Manchester United forward, Anthony Martial.
Verdict: I think the club is pushing the 27-year-old out. A team like West Ham can benefit from a player of his traits.
Odion Ighalo does not fear for his life!
After a disappointing 2018 FIFA World cup campaign with no goals to his name or an inspiring performance as consolation, the Nigerian forward became more than just a scapegoat as death threats made him reconsider his career. Read full story here.
Oghenekaro Etebo, Odion Ighalo, Leon Balogun and Francis Uzoho stand dejected after conceding the opening goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Croatia and Nigeria at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia.
(June 15, 2018 - Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)
There are so many things that soccer players go through outside the pitch that the fans seldom pay little attention to. Some players go through emotional torture because of the abuse that comes from the fans when they are not performing well, and some are forced to fear for their lives. This is the story of a certain Nigerian who is one of the many players that have been threatened by their own fans in the midst of a bad performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Former Watford centre forward, Odion Ighalo was one of the first names on the Nigerian team sheet at the recent FIFA World Cup hosted in the cold land of the Russians. He played in Nigeria’s first match in the tournament against Croatia where his nation fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the eventual finalists. He tried his best in front of goal but to no avail and was eventually demoted to the bench in the following match against Iceland. All his efforts in the tournament have gone down the drain in the memories of the radical fans who feel that his only contribution was to huff and puff goal-scoring opportunities. Ighalo has since received death threats from numerous people on his social media accounts which is unacceptable. The player goes to lengths to score a number of goals for his country only to be paid back by insults when he is out of form.
“It was painful but not enough to make me quit the country.”
Odion Ighalo of Nigeria and John Stones of England in action during the International Friendly match between England and Nigeria at Wembley Stadium on June 2, 2018 in London, England.
(June 1, 2018 - Source: Clive Rose/Getty Images Europe)
This is not the first time that a player or coach received death threats because of unfortunate circumstances. Former Chelsea and Italy national team coach, Antonio Conte fell prey to similar attacks from Juventus fans who blamed him for the injury of Claudio Marchisio in August 2014. Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Carlo Tavecchio revealed that Conte received death threats on the internet. Soccer fans are entitled to their opinions and reactions after bad performances but there is a line ought to be drawn in terms of expression.
Death threats have a toll on a player’s mindset whenever they play as they feel unsafe, even in their own country. Ighalo talked to BBC Sport after revealing that not only him but his family too received such threats.
After all, we need to remember that soccer is a sport made possible by these players who represent our clubs and national teams. The players are human beings and have emotions which need to be protected like any other. No one deserves to feel unsafe especially after working their socks off for the love of the game only to be attacked by the very same people they sacrifice a lot for.
Denounce these actions and save the lives and careers of our players. We are with you Ighalo!
FT Hidden Gems Series: Daddy-Ajala Moses Simon
The 23-year-old Nigerian had to endure some tough injuries, one of which sidelined him from 2018 FIFA World Cup action. He currently plies his trade in Spanish La Liga with Levante and undoubtedly is a real talent.
Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur holds off Moses Simon of Gent during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 second leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and KAA Gent at Wembley Stadium on February 23, 2017 in London, United Kingdom.
(Feb. 22, 2017 - Source: Dan Mullan/Getty Images Europe)
It is that time again where we dive into those African talents that seldom meets the eye. Yes, we are talking about the FirstTouch Africa’s Hidden Gems. We profiled players like Adama Traore, Ademola Lookman, Tinotenda Kadewere, among others and we identified the attributes that make them unique. Africa still has a lot more to offer in with talents like these that are often overlooked by the limelight. As we continue with the series, we focus our attention on Moses Simon, the Nigerian forward who plays for Levante in the Spanish La Liga.
Last appearance
Moses Daddy-Ajala Simon was a 73rd minute substitute in Levante’s match against Sevilla at Estadi Ciutat de València on the 23rd of September, 2018. The home team fell to a disappointing 6-2 defeat in front of their own fans and the African player on the rise was nowhere to be found on the pitch. He was demoted to the bench and could also not help his team early on in the match in their last outing in the Spanish La Liga. However, his late cameo managed to add pressure to the Seville club as they claimed an own goal that was conceded by Kjaer. Initially, it was thought to be Daddy Simon’s goal as he shot from the left side of the box with his left foot but it was later announced that it was an own goal. His impact was too little too late for a comeback.
“Although he was adamant that he could play, the coaching staff decided to leave him out of the Nigerian squad as he was not 100% fit. That’s how the forward missed out on the action in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.”
Injuries
Moses Simon of Nigeria looks on during the International Friendly match between Nigeria and Senegal at The Hive on March 23, 2017 in Barnet, England.
(March 22, 2017 - Source: Dan Mullan/Getty Images Europe)
Levante’s match against Sevilla was Moses Simon’s debut for the season after he had picked up a hamstring injury back in August. This type of injury is common among pacy athletes and Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale is a prime example of a star player who struggled with these type of injuries since joining the club. The Nigerian international fought back to make it to the bench on Sunday before coming on for the club that just recently acquired him on a five-year deal from KAA Gent.
Furthermore, the Nigerian’s hopes of a world cup dream was dashed as he was ruled out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia squad of the Super Eagles due to a hip injury. Although he was adamant that he could play, the coaching staff decided to leave him out of the Nigerian squad as he was not 100% fit. That's how the forward missed out on the action in the world cup that was eventually lifted by the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba, Samuel Umtiti and Benjamin Mendy.
Style of play
Although the 23-year old’s debut was enough to show that the African player is a goal threat,
17 minutes on the field of play were too brief to comprehend all his attributes. The pacy forward is aggressive in the final third which is probably the reason why Levante invested £4.5million to bring him to their club.
Also, Moses Simon can play as a stand in winger. Most African players playing in Europe have been deployed in various positions which aren't their best but they still do the job. Daddy is no different. He can play on either wings and his pace is a deadly threat. He however, has to compete with the likes of the resurged Iwobi and the newcomer, Ademola Lookman for a place in the starting lineup for his national side, the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Final note
Previous links to transfer to the likes of Liverpool before the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia just shows why Moses is such a top quality player who could be on the move to a bigger club in the near future.
FT Impact Player Series: Is Man City's Ben Mendy, Superhuman?
At just 24, Benjamin Mendy has won the FIFA World Cup, French Ligue 1 and English Premier League title. With his playing style unique to him, is he poised to usher in a new generation of full-backs?
We always like to pause and zoom in a little on some unique talents in the game today. Today, we are crossing over to the blue-half of Manchester and think out loud about the incredible talent that is Benjamin Mendy, a French defender with African roots, Senegal to be specific. Let us briefly look at three things that Benjamin Mendy gives the Premier League champions, Manchester City. You will give a ruling at the end on whether the 24-year-old is human or an alien meant to be playing some unknown galaxy football.
Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad Stadium on August 19, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
(Aug. 18, 2018 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)
Energy, pace and power
Mendy rose to prominence in the 2016/17 season where he was a key defensive component of the young Monaco team that won the French Ligue 1 and reached the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League. His switch to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City the following season for £52 million pounds, a then record move for a defender, was part of the infamous exodus of talent from Monaco with the likes of Bakayoko, Mbappe and Bernardo Silva also leaving for big monies. In particular, Guardiola’s acqusition of Mendy for that kind of price seemed ridiculous at the time especially given the fact he had likewise spent big on other fullbacks in the form of Kyle Walker and Danilo - but he sure had a plan and how dare we questioned the wisdom of the Spaniard. The record 100 Premier League points amassed in a title winning campaign for Manchester City was the result. Of course we did not see a lot of Mendy in this record-breaking season because of the ligament injury that sidelined him for the greater part of the season. Now that he is back, most are starting to appreciate why Pep brought him to the club. No one owns the left flank of the pitch like Ben does. He literally runs up and down that channel for the full ninety minutes without showing any signs of exhaustion. His built body allows him to shove most if not all opponents with ease and his carefree personality even shows up on the pitch in form of the risks he takes upfield. Do not be mistaken, Mendy is no dribbler or slick like “modern full-backs” such as Marcelo, Jordi Alba, Alex Sandro or Dani Alves. It’s simply raw energy, pace and power with a defined ability to make pin-point crosses into the box. Think of him as a really accurate bulldozer that does not just go through stuff senselessly.
Even though Manchester City brought only Riyad Mahrez in the summer, with Mendy back, they are looking anew. Guardiola’s tactical tweaks have seen Ben Mendy playing as hybrid and left-back /central midfielder, something we are not sure has ever existed. In his first four premier league appearances, Mendy has provided three assists, made 25 crosses into the box, created two big chances and was also heavily involved in two other goals. Yes, its no cheap talk here - Mendy is real.
“We could not demand Delph and Zinchenko to do what Benjamin Mendy does, in terms of going up and down the wing, attacking space and having his physicality because they have different physical conditions.
We saw Mendy’s quality at Monaco in France, his quality to go forward. When a player has this quality, we must use it, because it’s his ability to create problems.”
A cool kid
Benjamin Mendy of France celebrates following his sides victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.
(July 14, 2018 - Source: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images Europe)
Besides the 2018 world cup winner’s footballing abilities, Ben Mendy is what everyone would wish for in a team’s dressing room. Within days of arriving at Guardiola’s camp, the Manchester All or nothing documentary reveals that the Frenchman was already cracking some jokes and teasing his new teammates in beginner’s English spoken with his French accent. A personality truly unique to fearless champions. He is one of the loudest guys in the dressing room, perhaps the most active football player on social media who always has one or two things to laugh about. You may remember the person in jeans who uncomfortably ran onto the pitch to celebrate Raheem Sterling’s last minute winner against Southampton in the 2017/18 EPL season, that was injured Benjamin Mendy. He even started taking selfies with Sterling afterwards in front of cameras. That’s just the way Ben is, serious and unserious at the same time. Many people like him off-the pitch and he is simply iresistable on it, how can it be? Is he human and perhaps the 21st century definition of perfection.
Most team’s battles are won 60% off the pitch and 40% on it, with Ben Mendy adding value both ways - France and Manchester City really have a lot to be thankful of. Just ask Olivier Giroud, a striker who was on a goal drought stretching back to the pre-world cup fixtures, Mendy came very late on for France as a substitute in their recent UEFA Nations League clash with the Netherlands and saved the day. Courtesy of a delightful Mendy cross.
“Mendy is Mendy. He is what he is. Sometimes you want to kill him. Sometimes you say ‘wow, what a player we have. Mendy has a lot of things to improve. Hopefully we can convince him to be calm and forget a bit the social media and focus on what he has to do.”
FT In The Future: Asensio and Richarlison usher in the new generation for Spain and Brazil
Richarlison’s slick start at Premier League side, Everton continued with a brace for Brazil and Real Madrid’s Asensio made a powerful statement in the UEFA Nations League. He looks set to star in La Liga and eventually work to ensure Los Blancos will not miss Cristiano Ronaldo. The story about these two is a story of the future.
“He is really not going to be a Neymar, showboating everywhere or rolling on the floor at times - but a vibrant, aggressive winger who will always find it hard not to be on the score-sheet. With the support of Gabriel Jesus’ goal poaching abilities upfront, Brazil’s future eleven will not be bad at all.”
Even as the Les Blues party continues and features about Mbappe and his swaggy teammates rocking the World Cup gold spring up exponentially, we are eager to start exploring what is to come. Who are looking to be likely favorites to take a claim at France’s throne? Will the Germans find their feet quickly after a disappointing Russia 2018 campaign? Who are we overlooking as far as nations’ football is concerned? Now, we would love to have answers to all of the above but we don’t. Will most likely not know until we get there. That’s the beauty of football. The unpredictability of the sport. One thing is for sure though, Spain’s Marco Asensio and Brazilian’s Richarlison are looking like they will always be protagonists, wherever they will be. Here and now. Here is why?
They headlined the UEFA Nations League, but its really nothing new…
Richarlison of Everton celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton FC at Molineux on August 11, 2018 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.
(Aug. 10, 2018 - Source: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe)
Brace-heart Richarlison
The 21-year-old, sure knows how to make a statement. If anyone had thought that his springboard start to life at Everton after a £50 million move from Premier League side, Watford was a fluke, I wonder what they are saying now. The young forward scored a brace against Wolves in his first game in an Everton shirt and has followed suit by doing the same thing in his full Brazilian debut against El Salvador. A beautifully curled right footed shot into the top corner in the first half and a beautifully place left-footed finesse after gathering Coutinho’s spoils in the second half helped ensure Brazil walked away as 5-0 winners. I thought the first goal was immaculate but the second one, no superlative suffices. The half-chance he utilised to make that goal hints at the quality and class of Richarlison. He is really not going to be a Neymar, showboating everywhere or rolling on the floor at times - but a vibrant, aggressive winger who will always find it hard not to be on the score-sheet. With the support of Gabriel Jesus’ goal poaching abilities upfront, Brazil’s future eleven should stay strong.
Cliche Asensio-shots
As for Asensio, not much really need to be said about the 22-year-old Real Madrid forward. It is true that he is earmarked to play a major role in Los Blancos’ attempts to fill Cristiano Ronaldo’s shoes alongside Gareth Bale and Isco, because he’s got the sauce! Asensio opened his Spanish first team account with an Asensio goal, a left-footed drive from the midfield after cheeky leg movements and assisted La Furia Roja’s three other goals in their 6-0 thrashing of the 2018 World Cup finalists, Croatia. He could have had a second, but hit the woodwork instead with a slightly similar shot that the goalkeeper deflected into his own net for an own goal. We have seen this time and time again at Madrid by Asensio and with him looking to be a key figure in the new Spanish choir with Dani Ceballos, Saul Niguez, Odriozola, Kepa and Isco - this won’t be the last time we will write awfully a lot about the Spaniard. Asensio himself is prepared to conquer:
“With Cristiano or without him I have the same aim of having a first team place and being important. So far so good, I have started the season well and I am working well.”
Starring roles fine-tune stars
Sergio Ramos of Spain celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal with Marco Asensio of Spain during the UEFA Nations League A Group four match between Spain and Croatia at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on September 11, 2018 in Elche, Spain.
(Sept. 10, 2018 - Source: Denis Doyle/Getty Images Europe)
If there is one thing we have learned about Kylian Mbappe’s rise to stardom, it is simply that giving a young player responsibility makes all the difference. Mbappe was one of the names on the scoresheet in Leornado Jardim’s Monaco side that reached the 2017 UEFA Champions League semi-final at just eighteen. He really got a chance to make and correct a lot of mistakes while at the same time being motivated by the fact that he was doing important work for the team. Unai Emery never hesitated to play him alongside more established names of Neymar and Cavani, even choosing to bench the likes of Di Maria and Julian Draxler and so did Didier Deschamps who even handed him the symbolic number ten shirt at the world cup finals. Well, it’s no secret that Mbappe is an exceptional talent but the faith put in him were not a small matter in growing him.
The good news for Asensio and Richarlison is that even though they are not eighteen like Mbappe, Everton’s Marco Silva does not look like he is going to drop the Brazilian anytime soon and Lopetegui definitely sees Asensio as a key ingredient in his Ronaldo-less Real Madrid. These protagonist roles will inevitably unleash more of what these boys possese.
Onlookers believe
Here is what a few other people in the football world have said about these two:
“The little things that he does are a little bit like a young Ronaldo. I’m not saying he can be as good as him but he does special things on the ball that only a few people can do - he drifts past people… if the manager can polish the diamond that’s there then he’s on to something.”
“I already knew him from the Under-21s. I said back in the day that he’s going to be one of the best players in the history of Spanish football and he’s showing this. He has amazing quality and I predict a great season for him.”
Mo Salah: The conundrums of the Egyptian's "King" status
FIFA Best Footballer of the world finalist, 2017 CAF Player of the Year, 2017/18 EPL Top Goal Scorerç Liverpool’s player of the season and many other countless award winner, Mohamed Salah is involved in a less than ideal relationship with local Egyptian officials.
“Salah’s power is rooted outside government control, which makes him stronger than the government. Salah will continue to win his battles unless the government decides to take him on and accuse him of cooperating with the opposition.”
In Merseyside, they know him as the Egyptian king that runs down the wing or the pharaoh that fell from heaven wearing number 11. The past one-year has been a revelation for both Mohamed Salah and the entire world, not just the footballing world. The 26-year-old returned to the English Premier League in Liverpool colors after being an unwanted child at Chelsea. As they say, the rest is history. Salah scooped countless individual accolades on the continent and abroad, broke all sorts of records including the most goals scored in a single EPL season, with 32 to his name and 44 in all competitions. He may have finished trophyless but the Egyptian was instrumental in leading the Reds to their first UEFA Champions League final in as many years and Egypt’s sorry 2018 world cup campaign could be attributed to the lack of him, both psychologically and tactically. The climax of all his achievements on the pitch, is his nomination for the FIFA World’s Best Footballer of the Year together with the five-time winner in Cristiano Ronaldo and Croatia’s captain fantastic, Luka Modric. The first African player to be nominated for the award since the days of the currently serving Liberia’s President, George Weah. But there’s more, perhaps not so pleasing events surrounding the pacey forward’s personal life and career.
The other story kinda starts with a photo
Mohamed Salah of Egypt kisses the ball before scoring from the penalty spot during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group A match between Russia and Egypt at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 19, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
(June 18, 2018 - Source: Francois Nel/Getty Images Europe)
Off the pitch, Salah is currently embroidered in a less than ideal relationship with the Egyptian federation that started with a fight over image rights. Salah was not pleased with his photo decorated on the Egyptian team’s Russia plane by the official sponsor of the team, WE as he was in a sponsorship deal with the rival, Vodafone. He eventually won that spat but the wheels had already started coming off. Next up, was the Russia incident which drove the Liverpool forward to consider early retirement from international football. The story is narrated as one in which Mohamed was used as political capital by Russia’s controversial Chenchya leader who took pictures with the forward and claimed he had given the Egyptian international an honorary citizenship in the Russian province. There are numerous reports that also cited other incidents that involved a delegation of celebrities disrupting the Egyptian team in training which are rumored to have strained Salah’s relationship with the Egyptian FA.
“You tried to portray me as someone who hates his country. Rest assured, people won’t believe you. This is 2018, you cannot keep shouting Colombian! Colombian! Colombian! about my agent ... you keep saying his attitude is not good. But, look, we have a problem, so forget his attitude and just solve the problem.”
The recent not-so-cool exchanges
As the 2019 AFCON qualifiers resume on the weekend of 8-9 September, it has been reported that Salah had demands for improved security and discipline in the Pharaohs camp building up to the qualifiers. No one in the country is in better position to make such demands other than Salaha, because of his populist power. Local political commentators even mention that Salah is more powerful than the government:
Mohamed Salah is Awarded the EA SPORTS Player of the Month for November at Melwood Training Ground on December 14, 2017 in Liverpool, England.
(Dec. 13, 2017 - Source: Jan Kruger/Getty Images Europe)
"Salah's power is rooted outside government control, which makes him stronger than the government. Salah will continue to win his battles unless the government decides to take him on and accuse him of cooperating with the opposition"- Hassan Nafaa, Political Analyst
Based on the political analyst’s assertion, no one can touch Salah. In light of this perceived “truth,” reports claim that the federation tried to severe Salah’s relationship with the masses by going for his Colombian agent and mentioning that Salah’s stardom changed him, making him less loyal to the country. The 26-year-old has since rubbished the comments in a video post saying:
"You tried to portray me as someone who hates his country. Rest assured, people won't believe you. This is 2018, you cannot keep shouting Colombian! Colombian! Colombian! about my agent ... you keep saying his attitude is not good. But, look, we have a problem, so forget his attitude and just solve the problem." - Mohamed Salah, Liverpool and Egypt.
Egypt’s history with stars
Some local commentators have begun fearing for Salah’s personal life and career given his take-ons with not only defenders on the pitch but now with officials. Discussions revolve around Salah’s possibility of eventually getting the same fate as his exiled mentor and ex-footballer, Mohamed Abu-treka who allegedly conspired with an Islamist group against the government and placed on a terrorists list or the comedian Bassem Youssef, dubbed Arab World’s Jon Stewart, who hosted the most watched weekly show in the history of Arabic television. Youssef was allegedly labelled a foreign agent and now lives in exile.
Mohamed Salah is yet to complete a compulsory military service which could be more than two years in the country and some of his family members still reside in the country. What do you think the future holds for perhaps the world’s most loved Egyptian?
Mohamed Salah of Egypt scores his team's first goal from the penalty spot past Igor Akinfeev of Russia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group A match between Russia and Egypt at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 19, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
(June 18, 2018 - Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
FT Hidden Gems Series: Idrissa Gana Gueye
The 28-year-old Senegalese and Everton midfielder has made the second highest number of tackles in the EPL since 2015, second to 2018 World Cup winner, N’golo Kante.
We continue heralding some of the unsung African heroes of the modern game of football mainly because we can and quite frankly, we also care. The first of the bunch was the 22-year old Adama Traore, the Malian whom we think will light up the English Premier League this season.
Our next pick is also from West Africa, Senegal to be specific. Idrissa Gueye, popularly known as Gana by his teammates has won hearts in the blue half of Merseyside, Everton. In the club’s constant change in management, from Ronald Koeman, Sam Allardyce and now, Marco Silva, Gana is one of the few players whose name have topped the team sheet. Ever since joining the club in the 2016/17 season, he has made a remarkable 33 Premier League appearances out of the available 38 in that debut season and then also another 33 appearances in the subsequent one. Only two of those in the entire period were from the bench, which is a glimpse of how important he has become at Everton.
Idrissa Gueye of Everton tackles Joao Moutinho of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton FC at Molineux on August 11, 2018 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.
(Aug. 10, 2018 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
“To give an even more interesting sense of scale, Gana was statistically the best holding midfielder in the whole of Europe in the 2016 calendar year, averaging 8.25 tackles and interceptions per game. This man can stop anyone in their tracks or put them on the grass at will.”
He is not very outspoken and neither is his game, but you feel it when he is not in the match. Gana’s style of play is not very different from that of Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets or everyone’s favorite, N’golo Kante. Of course, it’s arguable whether he is at the same level as these two, he may be smaller but he is not too far away. Even though he plays for a mid-table club in the Premier League, which does not always afford him the chance to win trophies and be shone on the medals podium, his statistics speak for themselves. In the 2017/18 season, he made the second highest number of tackles in the league, only second to Nigeria’s Wilfried Ndidi, another gem in the making. But the thing is, he has been doing this consistently. Since his Premier League debut in 2015 under Aston Villa, Gueye has made a total of, 396 tackles, only the acclaimed N’golo Kante has made more, just nineteen more. To give an even more interesting sense of scale, Gana was statistically the best holding midfielder in the whole of Europe in the 2016 calendar year, averaging 8.25 tackles and interceptions per game. This man can stop anyone in their tracks or put them on the grass at will.
Gueye is growing and developing into an effective holding midfielder, especially in the modern game, but he has weaknesses too. He a very deep-lying midfielder who only lies deep, too deep at times. He is not as adventurous as Kante, who periodically runs up the field to attack, assist or get some goals on the scoresheet. This is something which may not be part of his job description but has become crucial to the modern game and definitely nothing he cannot learn. The 28-year old has been criticised for his “nonchalant defending” by some, even emerging as one of the reasons why others think Senegal were knocked out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup by Colombia.
Idrissa is arguably one of the top tough tacklers in the game today and will continue being the difference to any side fortunate to have him.
![FT Top 5 Young Players With African Roots: Munir El Haddadi [Barcelona]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a3beebbd74cff231e14edc2/1526792280254-SMYFKRZ770CHTBDPVNMH/El+Haddadi+2.jpg)
FT Top 5 Young Players With African Roots: Munir El Haddadi [Barcelona]
Munir is another Barcelona forward on loan at Deportivo Alaves. His father is from Morocco and has featured for Spain’s youth teams and only once for the first team which harbored him to get a clearance to play for Morocco in next month’s FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.
Munir is in Barcelona’s ranks on loan at Deportivo Alaves and was interestingly a Real Madrid fan up until he was 14. He was born on 1 September 1995 to a Moroccan father, Mohamed El Haddadi Arbrqui, who moved to Spain at 18 in a fishing boat and fell in love with Zaida, a lady from Spanish autonomous city of Melilla who was a kitchen hand at the time. He grew up in Galapagar and starred whilst playing for CF Rayo Majadahonda’s Cadete A team scoring 32 goals in 29 matches. He was on loan from Atletico Madrid at the time who had to capture him after a successful trial in 2010. None of the big two Madrid clubs was interested in tying down to their club and Barcelona seized the opportunity by bringing him into their youth team, frustrating the onlooking Manchester City and other top sides.
He made his senior debut for Barcelona on 24 August 2014 in a La Liga match against Elche, scored a goal to become Barcelona’s third youngest goalscorer after Bojan and Lionel Messi. He did not get a lot of game time for the remainder of the season with the Catalans and was sent on loan to Valencia the following campaign. He only managed to score 6 times for Valencia in appearances but has since improved that record with his 2017/18 loan spell at Deportivo Alaves, scoring 10 times and registering 6 assists in 32 matches.
Morocco was interested in having him join the Lions of the Atlas’ 2018 FIFA World Cup squad but saw their joint appeal with the striker to overturn FIFA Cas’ ruling on him switching nationalities denied. FIFA Cas stated that the current rules prohibit him to switch as a per his one-time appearance for Spain in a UEFA Euro Qualifier against Macedonia.
![FT Top 5 Young Players With African Roots: Dele Alli [Tottenham]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a3beebbd74cff231e14edc2/1526527814889-VTQHUXFV87GR411FPXEY/Dele+Alli.jpg)
FT Top 5 Young Players With African Roots: Dele Alli [Tottenham]
Dele Alli was born to a Nigerian father and has become an integral part of the Tottenham and England set up at just 22-years-old.
The English international was born on 11 April 1996 in Milton Keynes, England. His full name is Bamidele Jermaine Alli and was born to a Nigerian father, Kenny of the Yoruba tribe and English mother, Denise. Dele’s father moved to the United States a week after he was born and was raised by his mother who suffered from alcohol problems. He fell in love with the game at a tender age and joined the Milton Keynes Dons youth system when he was just 11. At 13, Alli moved into the home of a teammate at MK Dons and stayed with Alan and Sally Hickford whom he considers being his adoptive parents although he was never legally adopted. His first touch professional football was a back-heel pass in his senior debut for MK Dons in 2012 when he came on as a substitute against Cambridge City.
Three years later, English Premier League giants, Tottenham Hotspur signed him for an initial fee of £5 million. After a loan spell at MK Dons, Alli made his Tottenham debut against Manchester United in August 2015. For the rest of the 2015/16 campaign, he delivered performances that won him the PFA Young Player of the season after scoring ten Premier League goals in his rookie season and helping Spurs qualify for the Champions League after a five-year drought. In the ensuing season, he changed his kit name to Dele citing that he “felt no connection” to his legal surname after parting ways with his mother. In that campaign, Dele consolidated his place as one of the most exciting talents in the football world, winning the PFA Young Player of The Year for the second time and the buzz continued with rumors linking him to the likes of Real Madrid. He, however, stayed at Spurs and has become an integral part of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad alongside Harry Kane. He has become the most highly rated young player with an increased valuation of €82.6 million, a staggering 142% increase in a year. It has not all been chocolate and roses for Dele as he has received a fair share of criticisms for some sluggish performances and behavior. He is, however, proving to be a growing player and individual who is expected to star for the three lions in the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.
Here is how some football icons described the 22-year-old:
“In the box, he looks like a striker, and outside the box, he plays like a midfielder." - Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham Manager
"He is fast, fluid and has a great skill set" - Rafael van de Vaart, Dutch Footballer
Frank Lampard thinks he is sneaky and intelligent to have the ability to, "to get into the box without being marked".
World Cup Rush: Munir’s hopes for representing Morocco dashed by FIFA verdict
Barcelona’s Munir will not be playing Morocco at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia after FIFA Cas’ maintained their verdict on prohibiting the player to switch allegiance after he appeared for Spain in a 2014 European Championship qualifier.
Barcelona forward, Munir El Haddadi, on loan at Deportivo Alaves is Spain tied and will not be playing for Morocco anytime soon or never. FIFA’s highest tribunal rejected his appeal against a FIFA Cas ruling that prohibited him to switch allegiance to the North African nation after he had appeared for Spain in their European Championship qualifier against Macedonia, as a substitute - for less than 15 minutes. Munir had jointly made the appeal with the Moroccan Football Federation asking for a fast-track ruling as the Lions of the Atlas prepare for 2018 FIFA World Cup appearance next month in Russia.
"Such decision is now confirmed and the request to change the sporting nationality of Munir El Haddadi from Spain to Morocco remains denied." - FIFA’s Court of Arbitration for Sport
FIFA’s stakeholders committee is seeking ways make the rules more flexible in such case as Munir’s.
The 22-year-old was born in Spain to a Moroccan father and raised in Barcelona’s youth academy before making his debut for the Catalans. He has since been loaned to Valencia and now Deportivo Alaves where he has been getting more game time to develop as a player than he would playing in a star studded Barcelona side. In the 2017/18 La Liga season, Munir scored 14 goals and registered 6 assists for Alaves.
No going back as the VAR will be showing replays at the World Cup in 2018
FIFA are making sure that VAR is successful this summer in Russia
Former President of FIFA, Sepp Blatter recently shared his thoughts on the introduction of the VAR at this year’s World Cup. He was not in favor of the implementation of VAR and feels that it came too soon especially considering the results of how it has worked so far in domestic competitions in Italy, England, and Germany. “Comical” and “embarrassing” are some of the words used to describe it after some controversial decisions were made in the match between Tottenham Hotspur and Rochdale. VAR disallowed a goal and also overturned a converted penalty. On Monday, Mainz were facing Freiburg in the German Bundesliga before VAR awarded a penalty after the players had already left the field for half-time. The decisions seem to be taking too long which slows the tempo and atmosphere in the stadium. FIFA have now come out with a proposed solution to all these problems and be a little bit transparent on how the decisions are made. They announced that replays will be shown on the screen for everyone to see incidents which keeps everyone engaged while the analyses of the incident and the decision is eventually made.
FIFA’s referee chief, Pierluigi Collina said, “the system is about avoiding clear and obvious major errors.”
This means that every decision will not be heavily reliant on the technology because the referees will continue to check over the minor errors. The former World Cup final referee assures us that it would not be a problem if VAR were to be implemented in this year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia. Do you think this system has been tested enough and is ready to be tried out at the biggest individual sporting event in the world?
World Cup Rush: Boost for Nigeria as Onyekuru returns from injury
"I have to prove that I'm able and worthy to go and play"
The Super Eagles’ attacking bluntness was exposed in their 2-0 loss to Serbia over the International break. The return of Everton’s Henry Onyekuru after a long spell on the sidelines, dating back to December 2017, will give Gernot Rohr a much needed headache in choosing who to put in his final 23 man squad for the FIFA world cup finals in June.
Onyekuru, 20, who is currently on loan at Belgian side, Anderlecht scored nine goals in 19 matches this season, making four appearances in the Uefa Champions League before his knee injury. In the prior to this one, Onyekuru found the back of the net, 22 times for Belgian side, Eupen which allowed for him to feature for the Super Eagles in their final world cup qualifying match against Algeria.
The young forward is ready to put shoulder to the wheel in the next two months for a place in Rohr’s charges.
“I have to prove that I’m able and worthy to go and play - once I do that - it’s up to the manager to select the team.”
Coach Rohr has also made it clear that the door is still open for any player to impress and earn their stripes.
“Coach Rohr says the World Cup door has not been shut against any player and is happy that Onyekuru is back.”
World Cup Rush: Lauren believes history will repeat itself for African teams
"To be honest with you I can't see any of them go further than the quarter-finals."
Former Arsenal and Cameroonian international, Lauren has assessed Africa’s world cup chances and came to a conclusion that there can be no light at the end of the tunnel. Lauren believes that amongst Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, and Tunisia - none of them will get past the last eight. The former defender believes that the management of African teams and the football culture as a whole needs some “structural” changes if performance on the global stage is to improve. He is also convinced his experiences have positioned him to add value to the footballing world.
“To be honest with you I can’t see any of them go further than the quarter-finals. This is my honest opinion because we are still one step behind the top teams. I don’t like to lie to people. I am very honest, I speak my mind because we don’t do things the right way.It happens in football, it happens in so many other African societies. But maybe I will try to help African football with the knowledge I have got about business and how to do things in a structural way”
Lauren represented Cameroon at the world cup finals in France 1998 and Japan/South Korea 2002. To date, the best performers from Africa have only managed to go as far as the quarter-finals. Cameroon first achieved the feat in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and most recently, Ghana in 2010.
World Cup Rush: El Said joins Finnish side to increase world cup appearance chances
El Said has is eyes on a World Cup roster spot
Another Pharaohs striker has joined a Finnish in bid to get some time so they could be available for selection into Hector Cuper’s World Cup squad. Al Ahly forward, Abdallah El-Said has joined Kuopion Palloseura on a two-month loan before his permanent move to Saudi club Al Ahly Jeddah on a two-year deal, come next season.
A Red Devils official, Adly Al Qaie confirmed that the 32-year-old has been allowed to go so as to prove his fitness for World Cup finals commencing on the 14th of June this year. El-Said joins Al Ahly teammate Amr Gamal who recently left the South African side, Bidvest Wits to complete his loan spell at Helsinki in Finland with the bid to impress for a spot in the Pharaohs World Cup squad.
“Abdallah is a big name and very high-level player, we are happy to have him here. We wish Abdallah good luck and wait for him on the field and believe he will be a key player at the World Cup.”
World Cup Rush: Barcelona forward keen represent Morocco
Internationals: Barcelona forward keen represent Morocco
Barcelona forward, Munir El Haddadi, who is currently on loan at Deportivo Alaves has challenged FIFA Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) decision to reject his application to switch nationalities. Munir was a substitute in Spain’s European Championship Qualifier in September 2014 but has now opted to play for The Lions of the Atlas, his parents’ country of origin.
The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has backed Munir’s appeal and will get a ruling by mid-May "in order for the player's sporting nationality to be decided prior to the commencement of the 2018 World Cup".
"Following the hearing, the panel will deliberate and issue a decision in the form of an arbitral award.” - FIFA Cas
The 22-year-old has appeared 32 times for Alaves this season scoring eleven goals and registering six assists in all competitions. He will undoubtedly be a welcome addition to the Moroccan squad who have to battle Spain, Portugal, and Iran in their group B encounters.
Egypt: Striker surplus to South Africa’s Bidvest Wits, finds favor in Europe
The Egyptian International finds a new hom
Egyptian forward Amr Gamal who was on loan from Al Ahly was released last week by Bidvest Wits. Gamal has joined the Finnish champions, HJK Helsinki, who have described his arrival as welcome development.
“Amr Gamal is a clever striker. The competition is becoming very tough and is developing. We want to have a competitive, energetic and offensive squad through the spring and summer.” - Juho Rantala, Helsinki’s Director of Football
Gamal will be keen to use this loan spell as a pedestal to bounce back and make it to the Pharaohs’ squad for Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup finals. It is not every day when you get to hear about a player not winging it in Africa, getting warm welcomes in Europe. It’s perhaps a sign that the quality of football in the continent’s domestic leagues may be improving at a rate faster than we realize.
Legends: Returning Yaya Toure misses training and Demba Ba eyes Senegal return
Returning Yaya Toure misses training and Demba Ba eyes Senegal return
Just a few hours after the announcement of Yaya Toure’s return to the ailing Elephants’ national team, the midfielder did not show up for training in France ahead of the Togo and Moldova friendlies. The football motherbody in Ivory Coast (FIF) confirmed that they were in the dark over Toure’s whereabouts. The four-time African player of the year recently came out of retirement on the backdrop of falling out of favor at Manchester City to join an Ivory Coast team who missed on going to world cup finals in Russia 2018 and failed to reach the knockout stages of last year’s AFCON finals in Gabon.
Meanwhile, the Turkish based striker, Demba Ba has revealed his hope in receiving a call to join the Senegalese camp for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The 32-year-old has been in fine form, scoring 5 times in 7 matches for Goztepe and believes his experience can be an asset for the Lions of Teranga in June. The former Newcastle and Chelsea striker last played an international match in 2015.