The winter transfer window officially started on January 1. By the 31st of this month, players playing in Europe can change clubs. For several African players, it would be a better option to continue their progress or simply get out of their hole.
Difficult year for African champions
Senegal is coming out of a successful 2022. The Lions won the CAN 2021 last February before qualifying a month later for the 2022 World Cup. In this competition, they reached the round of 16. This course could have helped to change the status of some players.
In addition to Saliou Ciss who missed the World Cup for lack of finding a club despite his excellent CAN, others are in a gloomy situation. This is the case of porters Alfred Gomis and Edouard Mendy. The former is unwanted at Rennes but has hardly any offers to get out of his hole. And the second is now Kepa’s understudy at Chelsea.
Next to another London club, Pape Matar Sarr played his very first in the Premier League this weekend. But 10 minutes in six months spent at Tottenham is a slump for the 20-year-old Senegalese midfielder. Last summer, his loan to Cremonese (Serie A) fell apart on the last day.
Ziyech, Kessié, Boga,… same fight
Like the Senegalese African champions, one of the Atlas Lions executives fourth in the World Cup is in a complicated situation. This is Hakim Ziyech. The Moroccan winger has certainly made a good track record at Chelsea, notably winning the Champions League, but he plays little.
Not enough for a player of his size. Milan are interested in the Moroccan and it can be a good challenge for him. Much better than that of Franck Kessié at FC Barcelona. Not enough for a player of his size. Milan are interested in the Moroccan and it can be a good challenge for him. Much better than that of Franck Kessié at FC Barcelona.
AC Milan midfield boss and 2022 Italian champion, the Ivorian went to Catalonia to take up a challenge. Six months later, he is chomping at the bit on the bench, contenting himself with small bits of matches with the Spanish club. His compatriot Jérémie Boga is in the same situation in Atalanta (Italy).
Moroccan players in search of the best
Alongside those who have to leave to bounce back, there are those who have to look elsewhere because they certainly have a talent superior to the level they are currently at.
Azzedine Ounahi is certainly the best example. The Moroccan midfielder has made a name for himself at the World Cup.
But for the moment, it belongs to Angers dead last in the French Ligue 1. His compatriot Sofyan Amrabat could also find a challenge just above Fiorentina. Just like Ellyes Skhri, very good despite the disappointing results of Cologne, this season in the Bundesliga. Lyon could also repatriate the Tunisian midfielder to France.