Algerians in Europe 2008 - 2009

[Al-khiyal]

Algerian international goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi in contact with Nantes

April 8, 2009 -- Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi has confirmed that he has been approached by emissaries from Nantes recently. Les Jeunes would like to sign the promising 24-year-old to a contract at the end of the current season.

Chaouchi, who was selected as the best Algerian goalkeeper in the 2007-08 season and helped his team win the domestic league title, told Le Buteur magazine that he was keen on the move.

“This first approach was very positive,” he explained. “We talked and understood each other. I think we’ve set up a good base for discussions. They assured me that the club was interested and that they wouldn’t come all the way [to Algeria] if they weren’t.”

Chaouchi will hope that Nantes manage to stay afloat in Ligue 1 as les Canaris are currently only one point away from the drop.

The struggling side has been unable to notch a victory in their last eight league matches and must win their upcoming fixtures against direct rivals Nancy, Le Havre and Sochaux if they are to boost their chances of maintaining their current status.

Losses in these ties would mean that Chaouchi could be joining a Ligue 2 side next season rather than one in top flight competition.

[Al-khiyal]

Algerian Rafik Djebbour out for three weeks

April 11, 2009 -- Algerian international Rafik Djebbour will be out of action for a minimum of three weeks, after a tackle he received in Wednesday’s goalless Greek cup match against Panseraikos FC resulted in some cartilage damage in his foot.

Thankfully for the player, the knock isn't a dangerous one and should not prevent him from taking part in the Greek cup final on May 2nd, when Dosan Basevtic’s men face domestic champions Olympiakos Piraeus.

This is good news, considering the fact that Djebbour is the second leading scorer on the team with seven strikes on the season. Argentinian team-mate Ismael Blanco has double that amount.

National team coach Rabah Saadane will be breathing a sigh of relief at the news, especially after hearing that Rafik Saifi from FC Lorient has been ruled out of Algeria’s crucial upcoming World Cup qualifier versus Egypt due to suspension.

The “Fennecs” coach is expected to rely on Djebbour as a replacement and will hope his player is fully fit by the time June 7th rolls around.

[Al-khiyal]

April 13, 2009 -- Two north Africans were on target to seal victory for Siena in Serie A, when they shocked Bologna 4-1. Algerian star Abdel Kader Ghezzal scored in the 62nd minute and his Moroccan team mate Houcine Kharja added the final goal with eight minutes to play.

[Al-khiyal]

Algerian Brahim Ferradj out for six months

April 17, 2009 -- Algerian forward Brahim Ferradj will miss the remainder of Stade Brestois’ season after injuring his knee in training.

In an interview with French website ouest-france.fr the forward said that he felt “a crack” followed by extreme pain and suspected an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

A scan which was completed yesterday confirmed his worst fears and thus Ferradj will have to undergo surgery at some point next week. He is expected to be out for a minimum of six months.

This is bad news for Algerian national team coach Rabah Saadane who was considering giving Auxerre product his first “Fennec” call-up given the fact that both FC Lorient’s Rafik Saifi and RC Stasbourg’s Yacine Bezzaz will be missing Algeria’s crucial World Cup qualifier against continental champions Egypt on June 7th in Blida.

The injury is also a huge blow to Stade Brestois who are in 15th place of the French Ligue 2 standings and in danger of dropping to a lower division. The side will have a difficult task ahead of them without their top scorer.

[Al-khiyal]

Newcastle United & Birmingham City to chase Algerian Madjid Bougherra

April 30, 2009 -- Algerian international Madjid Bougherra could very well be returning to England this summer given Rangers’ financial troubles. According to the The Scottish Sun, the only way that the team could afford to keep their prized centre-back is if they manage to finish ahead of Celtic in the title race and earn the cash associated with direct qualification into the Champions league.

The Gers are on 73 points, one off their rivals’ pace with six games to go in the season. One of the matches in question happens to be a direct confrontation between the two sides.

While the Glasgow based club’s hopes of holding onto ‘Magic’ are tied to winning the Scottish Premier League, Birmingham City’s aim of acquiring the Longvic native is dependent on whether or not they can achieve promotion to the English top flight. Alex McLeish’s side can achieve this goal if they beat Reading on Sunday.

Another club that is interested in the services of Bougherra is Newcastle United. The Magpies’ attempted to sign him during the winter transfer window but were unsuccessful. However, given the weakness of their back line, they remain interested.

[Al-khiyal]

Algerian Brahim Ferradj begins knee rehabilitation

May 1, 2009 -- According to Ouest-France, Brahim Ferradj has begun to rehabilitate his knee after surgery was performed on it two-and-a-half weeks ago. The player injured the knee during a training exercise and is expected to be out for approximately six months.

Ferradj is currently undergoing physical therapy which is being supervised by his club side’s medical staff. The rehabilitation program will continue until the May 25, when the forward will travel to Capbreton to follow a specialised regimen until June 13 in order to ensure that the knee heals well.

Stade Brestois have fared relatively well without their leading scorer as they have accumulated acceptable results since his injury (one win, one loss and one draw). However, they are still hovering only two points above the drop zone and are still at risk of falling into the French third flight.

If such a thing were to happen, it is possible that Ferradj would find a different team over the summer. In an interview with dzfoot.com last month, the Saint-Etienne native said that he had been approached by clubs from the French top flight as early as a year ago.

[Al-khiyal]

Algerian international Bougherra voted best Rangers player

May 7, 2009 -- Algerian defender Madjid Bougherra was named Rangers Player of the Year at a ceremony in Glasgow, Scotland, Echourouk reported on Wednesday (May 6th). Fans picked the 26-year-old, who is noted for his defence prowess in 34 matches this year, to receive the top player award.