Saturday 5 June 2010

Avram's Bel Boy

Algeria World Cup star Nadir Belhadj has spoken to Avram Grant about a move to West Ham, according to this morning's Sun. The £5million-rated Portsmouth left-back is reported to be Grant's top summer target. Belhadj, 27, who also has offers from Spain, France and Qatar, said: "Everyone's talking about West Ham, because we all know Grant's going there. I've spoken to the coach. But there's absolutely nothing concrete yet."

Belhadj has established himself in the Pompey first team after signing for the club in September 2008, initially on a season-long loan, and then in a £4 million transfer from French club Lens. A left-back who can also play as a left-winger, he is widely known for his free-kick prowess, scoring his first international goals for Algeria in 2007 with two spectacular strikes in a friendly against Argentina.



He began his career at Lens before moving down a division to play for Gueugnon and Sedan. He was bought by Lyon in 2007, but found his opportunities limited by first-choice left-back Fabio Grosso, and made just nine appearances for the club before moving back to Lens.

A former France international at under-18 level, Belhadj made his debut for Algeria in 2004 and played in 11 of Algeria’s 13 qualifiers, including the ill-tempered play-off game with Egypt that secured World Cup qualification for the first time since 1986. He scored a crucial goal against Rwanda late last year, but picked up four yellow cards over the course of the qualification campaign. Belhadj is one of two Algerian players at Fratton Park, the other being midfielder Hassan Yebda.

3 comments:

Emlyn said...

Not quite sure on this signing. He is great at getting forward, with a cracking cross and freekick, but not the most defense minded left back. He also gets a bit "worked up". I seem to remember him getting sent for needless reasons last season. Actually, I like this sort of player. Algerian dicks, maybe. Go get him.(I know, the dicks comment is clutching at straws)

Trilby said...

The Algerian Dicks? Well, you've sold him to me!

Anonymous said...

Is there anymore information you can give on this subject. It answers a lot of my questions but there is still more info I need. I will drop you an email if I can find it. Never mind I will just use the contact form. Hopefully you can help me further.

- Robson

 

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