Egyptian Stars The Next Big Thing?

Following the Wael Gomaa Interview some of the comments made by the Egyptian International and Blackburn Rovers target would get me to thinking about Egyptian footballers.

With Mido, a target for Rovers over the summer, very nearly signing for Mark Hughes before later claiming he wanted to fight for his place at Roma... days later returning to Tottenham Hotspur (although in fairness to Mido a return to Spurs would always be his preferred destination) just before the transfer deadline being the most high profile Egyptian arguably playing in Europe, with many others coming through are Egyptian footballers set to be the next big thing to take Europe by storm?

I recently saw another Egyptian, 24-year-old Hossam Ghaly, also at Spurs, having arrived from Feyenoord in January, who despite admittedly knowing little about him before hand the Midfielder looked a very accomplished footballer displaying some nice touches and spraying around some quality passes.

Gomaa would highlight fellow Egyptian Internationals Mohamed Zidan and Mohamed Aboutraika for special mention, both of whom look set for very big things, with Zidan, unsurprisingly knicknamed "Zizou" already playing in Europe.

After succesful spells in Norway with Akademisk Boldklub and then FC Midtjylland Zidan moved to Werder Bremen in the German Bundesliga. Since his signing in 2005 he has only made ten first team appearances for the club, although most of this time has seen him loaned out to fellow German side FSV Mainz 05.

The 24-year-old forward would reportedly be linked with a move to Ewood Park on the afternoon of transfer deadline day. This wouldn't come off but a move to the Premiership, and maybe even Ewood Park could be likely in the future?

Both James and myself agree that Zidan looks the business, if you've not seen him before, or you are in doubt Click Here to check out this link to see what we mean. I don't know about anyone else but after seeing this, and the fact that in 135 appearances in European football he has scored 53 goals had he signed I wouldn`t have been disappointed.

27-year-old Mohamed Aboutraika, who is an attacking midfielder also plays for Gomaa's current Egyptain club Al Ahly is likely to make the transition into European football in January for a fee of £3 million. This information has been provided to me by a reliable source.

Since his arrival in 2003 Aboutraika has helped Al Ahly win a number of trophies, the first coming in 2005. During this time Aboutraika, nicknamed "Trika" is said to have played the best foootball of his career, earning him his first taste of International football in 2003, since which time he has been a regular fixture in the Egyptian side. Aboutraika would be a part of the victorious Egyptian side to lift African Cup of Nations in 2006.

Wael Gomaa, who is likely to complete his move to Rovers in January, should return to Ewood Park for some training sessions in the meanwhile, but keep a look out for Aboutraika as you will hear of him making the move to Europe, possibly England (I`m not at all saying Rovers will be his destination) in January. Don`t be surprised if Zidan also transfers to England from Germany, which despite Shabani Nonda's arrival could still see Rovers as his destination? Although this would be far more likely than an Aboutraika arrvial it is still highly unlikely.

Keep an eye out for more talented footballers coming out of Egypt, Wael himself said that the country has many "undiscovered players."

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