I can't believe that Mo Farah was fasting whilst competing in endurance athletics competitions over the past month. He'd have died.
Yeah, some choose to eat normally on match days or event days and then make it up at the end of the month
Belkalem will be announced by end of this week. Will be a loan initially, which will be made into a permanent signing once he passes his visa language test.
perm signing? that s great news. lucky escape for him as he could have been turning out for Dortmund, Lyon or even worse next season
Belkalem will be arriving in England tomorrow, and should join up with the squad on Friday as Thursday is normally the players day off!
Fasts that are missed during Ramadhan for whatever reason are made up at a later date and the equivalent of feeding one person for a day paid to a charity for each day missed. Ramadhan finishes tomorrow/Friday in the UK. Hopefully Belkalem will be a great addition; him, Angella and Ekstrand could end up being a great defensive trio.
Belkalem announced on skysports with an interview from Zola. Zola said hell play once he's ready and accustomed to our style
Zola has just been on Sky Sports News talking about Belkalem, confirming he has joined the squad today, and said that it will take him a while to adapt to our style of play, but once he's ready he will play.
Hey everyone, Algerian football fan here. Where to begin...Oh yeah. Don't believe the Dortmund, Lyon rumours etc. I think that was just the Algerian press trying to sell papers, though I think there was a strong link with Hertha Berlin. I've watched Belkalem play some 30 times now, so I have a feel for his style of play. You guys are getting a colossus as you have already divined. Very big and very strong lad. Barely anything gets by Belkalem in the air, and he can also provide an aerial threat with set-pieces http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MasV0Tv2bk. With the ball at his feet, he's only competent, nothing special. I know the championship is quickly improving from a footballing standpoint, but his profile is still more suited to a kick-and-chase style than a Barca possession passing game. Right what excites me most about the player is his personality. I heard a great anecdote from a reputable journo that Belkalem was trying out for the Algeria U21s and at the end of the session everyone's parents came and got their kids, or they drove home. Belkalem put his slippers on and went to take the bus. The journo accompanied him during the ride home. He comes from a humble place, and always has the right attitude. But he's always striving to progress as well and that's his major strong point. Our coach Vahid Halilhodzic went so far as to joke that, 'Belkalem can't be Algerian. He's so serious about his work ethic and so calm in his temperament'. He's someone that wants to learn quickly and quietly. Don't be surprised if he's speaking fluent English (which would be his 4th language) in a matter of months. He was captain of our U21 and U23 side and stayed with one club in Algeria, pledging his loyalty to them. He has continental experience via the African Cup and African CL. I know that doesn't mean much to most English fans, but it does a lot to build experience and character and is essential to success in Europe. Basically, you guys are getting a polished African export. This is as ready as a player is going to get to make the switch to Europe. It's to be seen now if he can transition smoothly. I saw someone complain about the lack of YouTube videos earlier, so here's a good performance he put in for Algeria vs. Libya in an African Cup of Nations qualifier [video=youtube;P4vijTKB4nQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4vijTKB4nQ[/video]
Great write up skikdi, I can't wait to watch him play but I think he will have a lot of competition for a starting place, how do you think he will handle that? Whilst it's great to have another International in the side, its how we lost Nyron to injury so there is always a risk there when a player goes away to play in Internationals, but I do agree they also have a positive effect building them up to be better players. Still I'm wishing Belkalem the best of luck and a happy transfer to be part of our family over here.
You can't play football in flip flops, it just doesn't work (well maybe if they are bright orange it might)
Thanks for the intelligent and informed appraisal. Id say between 50-70% of championship goals come from aerial attacks, so a strong commanding CB is exactly what we need. I believe GFZ himself said that Udinese beat a number of 'very important European clubs' to his signing.
I'd say a fair number of goals come from set pieces about 30-40% easily and to have someone to just deal with it properly initially as opposed to the ball playing pin ball in the area is very welcome. Also a good option for tough away games, absorb pressure try and score/win corners on the break and the likes of Ekstrand, Angella and Belkelem to put there head on it is a tasty thought.
Yes, I saw that you guys have started off well defensively, only conceding a goal in two matches so the competition must be intense. His career path shows that he's usually patient and fights to solidify a starting spot. But this year is a World Cup year, so he'll be desperate to play. Well 'important' is subjective isn't it? I've no doubt the likes of Getafe and Hertha Berlin were in for him, maybe even Lyon. But, no disrespect to Belkalem, I think the likes Dortmund and Napoli have larger fish to fry. I'm afraid I didn't understand? Is this a reference to the Cissé saga? *checks who Watford shirt sponsor is* Ah, yes. I don't know if he'll object to that. I'm pretty sure he is a practicing Muslim (was fasting during preparations with Udinese in heat), but when it comes to things like shirt sponsors there's room for subjective interpretation. You have your Kanoute's and Cisse's who object, and your Ellington's and Sidibe's who don't. Anyways, I haven't heard anything of the sort so far. I'd be surprised if he did protest.
official according to wobby: http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/10606363.Watford_complete_loan_signing_of_Belkalem/
Interesting to see him come in via Granada and with a view to permanent deal. Good signing though based on what has been said about him and other teams in for him. Was at the game Saturday so his first experience of a matchday was a decent one.
I think him being on loan reflects the step up he needs to make in class from where he's come from to where we're going. And Granada because we've probably got a couple of Udinese in mind for loans before the window shuts and want to spread them around.
Was really surprised to see he'd signed from Granada. So he joined Udinese signed this summer, who gave him to Granada, who immediately loaned him to us? That's a busy few weeks for one player...
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/10606363.Watford_complete_loan_signing_of_Belkalem/ Is that the best photo they could find? He looks a right dodgy **** trafficking in drugs, firearms, kidnapping girls... makes Marlon look like father xmas.
He was signed by Granada. Then came to train at Udinese. He's never been officially an Udinese player, neither signed or on loan.
Sources close to Belkalem say that he was asked to sign for Udinese, but he said they are "رديء," which loosely translates as "tinpot."
Why do you think he signed for Grenada, then came to us on loan? I personally think it could be to 'legally' allow Grenada to profit from some of our Premiership money, were we to be promoted. Pure guess though.
