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Yassine Chikhaoui Plays 75 Minutes Worth Forgetting

February 15th, 2008 | By: Rami | 14 Comments »

After coming back from an African Cup where he confirmed his talent but didn’t shine his brightest, everyone was waiting on Yassine Chikhaoui to deliver an amazing performance in the UEFA cup match against Hamburg yesterday. Alas, that is far from what happened as Yassine had an off day and seemed to go missing at some periods of the match. You could attribute this to media pressure and unrealistic fan expectations and they may be contributing factors but there were a few more reasons as far as I’m concerned:

1. Once again, we saw him playing out of position. Seems that Bernard Challandes took a page out of Roger Lemerre’s book and decided to play him up top, where he is much less effective.

2. No Raffael or Alfonse in the lineup: The Brazilian striker left for Hertha Berlin in the transfer window while Alfonse was left out of for reasons unbeknownst to this humble blogger. Needless to say, they left a huge gap in the team and Chikhaoui’s game suffered as a result as these are the people he used to link up with all the time when he was scoring goals early in the season. In addition, Zurich is coming off of a winter break and this was visible in their lack of chemistry. To make matters worse, Chikhaoui has been resting for a week and was unable to train with them. His coach gave him some rest after he saw that Yassine had exerted himself a lot in the African Cup and hasn’t had time off in quite a while. Instead of helping him though, it might have put him out of rhythm.

3. Hats off to the Hamburg defense who did a great job containing him and just bothering him whenever he touched the ball. They limited him to two chances on goal and were quick to close on him. Clearly, they read the scouting report and knew who Zurich’s most dangerous player was.

4. Going from the heat and humidity of Ghana to the freezing temperatures of Switzerland might have affected him adversely.

I’m not making excuses for him, I’m just rationalizing his performance a little. This doesn’t take a way from the fact that he definitely didn’t rise to the occasion. Watching the game I grew quite frustrated when his usually immaculate ball control failed him. This game came at a bad time for him and his team who now face the unenviable task of going to Hamburg needing to score three away goals to have a chance of going through to the next round. It’s not impossible but it’s not going to be easy at all. It will be Chikhaoui’s first game in Germany since the World Cup. It is likely to be his next destination according to kicker magazine.

The more I read about this, the more I believe that Germany will in fact be his next stop and I think it makes perfect sense. The general manager of FC Zurich confirmed that the club are looking specifically at German offers. Three clubs (Hamburg, Werder Bremen, and Bayern Munich) have put offers on the table and the management is evaluating each one. You can bet that this last outing didn’t make anyone retract their bids. Everyone knows the talent is undeniable and one off game won’t change the fact that he’s having a great year in his first season abroad.

While seeing him in a Bayern Munich kit would be a beautiful sight, I think that going to Werder might be better for him in terms of playing time and development. There’s some stiff competition at Bayern and as much confidence as I have in the kid, I’d hate to see him rotting away on the bench. Although, training with the likes of Ribery, Altintop, Luca Toni, and others wouldn’t hurt… Furthermore, Werder and Hamburg (or even Leverkusen) would be more willing to part with him if (or once) the big money comes from Spain or England. Munich on the other hand might not be so inclined to do so.

I’m not upset with the performance as I’m sure Chikhaoui will get over it this mini letdown. He is a serious player with great ambitions. Everyone experiences ups and downs, highs and lows and our boy is no different. To improve you have to go through difficult times and despite his young age, Yassine know this. His coach gave him a nice pat on the back when he subbed him out and the gesture seemed to say: “No worries kiddo, you’ll get them next time.”

Keep your head up Chi5a!

The Goals

Two ridiculous goalie mistakes…

Club Africain in Senegal for First Round of Champions League

Le Club Africain (aka l’ifri9i) is in Senegal in preparation for their weekend match against ASC Saloum. After an eleven year absence from the prestigious tournament, the Clubiste fans are hoping for a good result against a team is a big unknown. Injuries have hit the club at an unfortunate time as Victor, Dhaouadi, and many others are out. Nevertheless, I am hopeful for a positive result in this first round of action. The coach, Abdelhak Ben Chikha, and the spokesman for the club were recently on Chawt 3 to discuss this and other issues. The first part is below while the rest is available if you click on footn underneath the video. If you want to know more about the fixtures this weekend check here. Allez louled jibouha!

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Tags: Club Africain, FC Zurich, Group H, Saloum, Tunisia Football, Tunisia Soccer, Yassine Chikhaoui

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Comments

By Moni | February 15th, 2008 at 8:46 pm

Yo Rami, Rumour: Lemerre Maroc new coach ?

Posted from Netherlands

By Rami | February 16th, 2008 at 2:52 pm

Hey Moni, I’ve read that on a few places (infosfoot, la presse) and heard it in various interviews on jawhara FM. For now he’s still ours but Morocco is definitely interested. I don’t blame them, they could use some defensive discipline to go along with their attacking flair. I just hope for them that he doesn’t stifle their style of play. Still not a done deal though…

Posted from United States

By Francis | February 19th, 2008 at 4:20 am

Yassine has the talent and he will find himself in a better league soon but i think Chemrti is more talent.

Just wondering how is Fwayo Tembo doing at Etoile du Sahel?Please get intouch through my mail

By iman | February 19th, 2008 at 9:42 am

francis,
chikhaoui is much better than chermiti..chermiti is good but he is a bit clumsy on the other hand yassine is proper professional..he has everything.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Rami | February 19th, 2008 at 12:20 pm

Hey Francis, I’ll be honest and say that I can’t really answer you off the top of my head in regards to Fwayo Tembo. I’ll do some research and get back to you if I find anything. And you’re right, Chikhaoui will be in a bigger league next season. If Van der Vaart leaves Hamburg as expected they’ll probably up their bid… And I don’t know if Chermiti is more talented per se. Its really hard to pick between the two… I’m just happy both are Tunisian

Posted from United States

By Tom | February 20th, 2008 at 4:33 pm

Seems my question on the, who is more talented question is coming back, defintely Chermiti in my opinion. I dont understand how Chikhaoui will replace VDV, ive probably not seen as much as you guys of Chikhaoui but his passing is nowhere near as good as VDV from what ive seen.

Posted from United States

By Rami | February 20th, 2008 at 4:49 pm

Welcome Back Tom! The thing with Chikhaoui is consistency. He can look absolutely out of this world good and then just ordinary. I’ve yet to see him play his absolute best when the pressure is on in a big game (although he might have done that early in his career in games that I missed). Meanwhile, Chermiti seems to have the flair for the dramatic and that big game mentality.

He has a much better nose for goal than Chikhaoui and he’s a lot faster. Ironically even though he’s shorter he’s a better header of the ball. As far as technique goes Chikhaoui has the upper hand but Chermiti aint no slouch either. I can see why you would rate Chermiti as a better talent. He was the only player on the list for African player of the year that actually played in Africa last year so that definitely says something. The thing that might edge him over Chikhaoui is sheer determination and fighting spirit. The guy never ever backs down.

That’s one way to distinguish between the two but honestly Chikhaoui is a very good passer. He just needs players to give him the ball and make good runs. In the last UEFA game his teamates really ignored him and he didn’t find the ball much either. I’m looking for him to bounche back tomorrow. Meanwhile Chermiti will be in the African Supercup on Saturday. Should be a good one!

Posted from United States

By Tom | February 20th, 2008 at 4:56 pm

Its just that they want Chikhaoui to fill the void of van der Vaart but he isnt as good or probably ever will be, but this is nothing to be ashamed of. You’re right im probably only leaning towards Chermiti because i like a player who will scrap for the ball and scare a few people on the pitch. Chermiti as he may not have as good a technique as Chikhaoui even though its not like Chikhaoui is far and away better than him in that department; but Chermiti looks like he is more clever on the pitch and more consistent and just there throughout the game. With Chikhaoui its more: brilliant, then: where did he go.

Posted from United States

By Rami | February 20th, 2008 at 5:06 pm

Hahah, that last sentence is hilarious. And you hit the nail on the head with Chermiti with the word “Clever”. That’s exactly what he is. Even when he’s standing still he looks like he’s thinking of something tricky. I read an article somewhere that said something about him having an “advanced footballing brain.” He is incredibly intelligent and as you mentioned, everpresent. When did you first notice him btw?

Posted from United States

By Tom | February 20th, 2008 at 5:11 pm

World Club Championship. Here in the UK the tunisian league is not widely available as you’d have guessed although i have looked for extended highlights just so i could see more of his play.

Posted from United States

By Rami | February 20th, 2008 at 5:17 pm

Very cool, that’s what I figured. You caught him at a good time. He was amazing in that tournament. If you want to see him live this wknd (saturday) just download sopcast and search for channels by region. Koora Tounsia is the channel you’re looking for under Tunisia. I’ll post more about the game as it approaches (time etc.) It’s the African Supercup but it’s an all Tunisian affair this year cuz we swept both continental titles

Posted from United States

By Tom | February 20th, 2008 at 7:52 pm

I see you mentioned Spain and England after Germany for Chikhaoui the only club he’s been properly linked to in england is Middlesbrough and that would be devastating for me as im a newcastle fan although we were apparently preparing a 4 mil bid for Chermiti who i prefer. I dont see Chikhaoui ever coming to england for some reason. I just see him getting bullied around by half the english players, this is also another reason why i prefer Chermiti. I think he will go to germany and stay there for most of his career although fenerbache want him now i think.

Posted from United States

By Rami | February 20th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

My ideal scenario for Chikhaoui is he goes to Germany for a little and then goes straight to Spain or Italy (Juventus is monitoring but hasn’t put in a bid). The physical nature of the premiership might stifle his on the ball skills. Although that’s what some people have said about others who have managed to succeed. In Italy he would grow into a tactical genius and Spain is tailor made for his game. No disrespect to Turks but I really really hope he doesn’t go to Fenerbache, he’s gotta go to a bigger league than that and he knows that. He’s stated his prefernce for England and Spain before but part of his plan is to stop in Germany to grow more. The guy has a project in mind which is something I like about him. He’s gotta get a nasty streak though, some edge. Especially if he wants to go to England.

Chermiti has Ajax, Juventus, Napoli, Marseille, Porto, and others running after him (even a slight Barcelona rumour circulating but I’ll believe that when I see it! It seems really far fetched if you look at the strikers they have at their disposal) He can play anywhere but Ajax could be the perfect starting point for a young guy like him. The good thing about Etoile is that they’ve recently managed to make moves that leave them financially satisfied and the player in a club that will actually let him play. If Newcastle does sign him I’m sure you’ll be a happy man. I honestly don’t care as long as he ends up somewhere where he plays, scores regularly, progresses physically and mentally, and is happy.

By Tom | February 20th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

Id like to see him but we have a very good striker force, Viduka, Martins and Owen, not many teams can boast much better, even champions league teams. Id like to see him in englnd, newcastle in particular, but if newcastle did sign him its hard to tell if he would flop or be a sensation, we have bought youngsters in the past and developed them very well but we have also bought youngsters and they flopped, such as Hugo Viana, we bought him just after he was named young european footballer of the year. Personally i think hes defintely a premier league player from what ive seen.

He will do well in the dutch league because it is very easy to score, most of the scorelines especially wih the top clubs are 5-0 most matches. If he goes someone to where ive seen him linked he should probably go to Arsenal (not sure if he would get a game) or Ajax because they will develop him well or maybe somewhere like Benfica (although i dont think hes been linked there) but defintely not somewhere like Porto where he will just constantly be loaned out and fall into obscurity. .

Posted from United States

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