Player Watch: Nabil Bentaleb

[Romulus]

If you had told us all 12 months ago That we would all be delighted bentaleb was coming back into our team would anyone have believed it!

yes. check the youth thread.

as @IGSpur said in the Kane thread these kids haven't just turned good overnight, their qualities have always been there and in Bentalebs case people let their hatred of Sherwood cloud their judgement

 

[Blake Griffin]

arsenal is too soon imo, keep him for liverpool.

 

[Yid-ol]

Is it that that little? Assumed it would be a couple more. Normally takes me a few days to get over going to France. Doubt it's the time zone though

Equatorial Guinea is in the green time zon, so is in the same as France.

 

[Adam456]

He will prob be raring to play after going out. Agree that he might needed a day or two off. Maybe an option off the bench if we're ahead on 60 mins

 

[Romulus]

arsenal is too early imo, keep him for liverpool.

completely agree.

 

[millsey]

yes. check the youth thread.

as @IGSpur said in the Kane thread these kids haven't just turned good overnight, their qualities have always been there and in Bentalebs case people let their hatred of Sherwood cloud their judgement

Like kane no one thought he wouldn't be a top player, just not one of the first names in the team sheet along with kane 12 months later

 

[dannythomas]

If players can play on Thursdays in Europa then play Sunday I don't see why Bentaleb can't play next weekend. The flight isn't that long. The good news is that Nabil can fly back in relative comfort since Levy isn't paying. Ryan Air don't fly that route.

 

[muppetman]

Only me that thinks it's a shame? I think it would have done him the power of good to make a final and even better to win one. If we want a team of winners then they need to go and win stuff, both with us as a team and without.

 

[Snarfalicious]

arsenal is too soon imo, keep him for liverpool.

Yeah, let him rest up for Liverpool.

I think we have the players that can cope with Arsenal's midfield of Coquelin and Ramsey at this time. However, wouldn't be surprised if Wenger plays Rosicky since he always seems to put his best performances together against us.

 

[IGSpur]

Like kane no one thought he wouldn't be a top player, just not one of the first names in the team sheet along with kane 12 months later

I very much understand your original point, in that their development has been impressive. But tbf to Bentaleb for me last year he was our best central midfielder towards the second half of the season. He was demonised due to Sherwood and while I think he got overplayed for his age, I had him down as a start for my team on merit. He was playing better than Dembele, Paulinho and Capoue. So I'm not surprised that he has been intergral and one of our best players this season.

 

[chinaman]

I don't think a 1 hour time difference will need much of an adjustment.

It's not the time difference, but the long flight time that's tiring particularly when he's played a few games in a short span plus the disappointment at losing.

 

[Shadydan]

Its normally the time difference which makes you tired. I should think he will be fine for the the NLD

 

[steve]

Nabil Bentaleb completed 100% of the 54 passes he attempted in the match

 

[spurs9]

Nabil Bentaleb completed 100% of the 54 passes he attempted in the match

And that is with the 3rd highest amount of passes played (for both teams), and joint second (with 1) amount of key passes played (for Algeria) and 3 long balls played. Very impressive.

 

[Larryjanta]

Equatorial Guinea is in the green time zon, so is in the same as France.

I remember learning about time zones at school and freaking out That South Africa is so far away but only a couple of hours difference when the U.S. is closer but had very different times. You have to remember I was probably 6/7 but longitude and latitude blew my mind. I think, however that it is a legacy of this that always makes me think Africa will be on very different time Zones when, clearly, they're not.

Only me that thinks it's a shame? I think it would have done him the power of good to make a final and even better to win one. If we want a team of winners then they need to go and win stuff, both with us as a team and without.

No, I agree. I would have liked him to win in but I'm glad he went out now than in the semi's or final as he would have missed our most important games, risked injury and been knackered. If he had to go out at all, this was very much preferable to the next round (as they, ridiculously, have 3rd 4th playoffs)

 

[ItsBoris]

Why wouldn't he play for us against Arsenal? The match is a week away and we need our best players.

 

[spike472]

Why wouldn't he play for us against Arsenal? The match is a week away and we need our best players.

Couldn't agree more. Stambouli has filled in well but he is nowhere near in Nabil's class.

 

[chinaman]

Is there any news whether he is flying straight back after yesterday's defeat?

 

[sammyj]

Good timeing nabil

 

[chinaman]

Would like to see him in the training pictures tomorrow.