Mohammed Ghanem: We will benefit from stability with Ferreira

In a detailed chat with the official club website, Al-Sadd Head of Football Mr. Mohammed Ghanem Al-Ali has spoken about the various issues surrounding the first team and its preparations ahead of the new season. We tried our best forward all the major questions that have been circulating among the fans.

Here is the interview in full:

Q: Tell us about the reasons for renewing the contract of Jesualdo Ferreira.

Mohammed Ghanem: Any one who saw the team during last season, especially during the end of the season, could see that the team improved in terms of harmony; the players and the coach were in sync. We will therefore benefit from stability at the coaching level. This is what we try to do at Al-Sadd and it has been one of our policies in the last few years.

Q: Is the schedule for the next season also a reason for the renewal?

MG: Of course, there is no doubt about it. We all know that the team will only get together for two weeks before the national team players leave for their camp for a period of more than 40 days. They will not return to the team until just before the league starts. With the presence of Ferreria, we will not have any problems as he knows the players and their abilities very well from last season.

Q: What do you have to say about the negotiations with Ibrahimovic and Quaresma?

MG: This is an annual event that we witness in the transfer window before the start of every season. We read about many names coming and going, even coaches and not just the players. But as I said, this is just an annual event and we have not negotiated with any of these names. All news should be taken from their official sources.

Q: Talking about foreign players, what can you tell us about the situation of Nadir Belhadj?

MG: I announce officially and for the first time that we have come to an agreement with Nadir to end our association and he understands this decision. If I was to speak about Nadir for a year, I would not be able to do justice to his professionalism, hard work and sincerity during the last six years. He became a part of the history of the club and he will return to us some day in a coaching or management capacity. But as of now, he is free to play anywhere in the top level in Asia; he is capable of performing there. We consulted the coach before coming to the decision to use the spot of Nadir for bringing in a foreign player in another position.

Q: Who will be the fourth foreigner to take the spot of Nadir?

MG: As per our discussion with the coach, it will be a player who will be an addition to our team in midfield and also in the attacking third. All I can confirm is that he will not be a defender.

Q: Are you clear about the choices?

MG: Everyone is searching and everyone is negotiating. Just as there is competition on the field, there is competition off it. And so, I cannot give any names now. But there are multiple players that we are negotiating with and we hope we reach an agreement with one.

Q: There has been a lot of talk about the exit of Khalfan, Talal and Kasola. Can you give some clarification?

MG: I will start with Khalfan. He still has a contract with us. When he is at his natural technical level, he is more valuable than a foreigner for us. He is capable of retruning to his normal level. I have said before that Khalfan is a a priceless jewel. You can consider the example of (Eden) Hazard; his club thought of selling him this season because of his performance this season but we now see him with his national team, having regained his level. It is the same with Khalfan. We read and we hear about him just as you do. I say this as the Head of Football at Al-Sadd. There has to be official offers for this to be studied and this has not happened. The same can be said for others like Talal and Kasola. Talal got injured repeatedly last season and lost his position. He has to fight to get it back. His contract is still running and he is an important and experienced player for us. As I said before, he has to work more to regain his level and his position. As for Kasola, we renewed his contract last season. If we did not want him to continue, why would we renew his contract? He is an important player who plays in multiple positions and the team is in need of him.

Q: About the departure of Akram Afif: many were expecting him to return to the team…

MG: Akram had in front of him a historic opportunity. If we had stood in between that, then history would not forget it. The offer that came was not one of a trial or for training purposes; it was an official contract to play for the fourth-placed team in the league considered the best in the world now. Just as we sacrificed Akram and his teammates for the European project in recent years, we are now proud of this sacrifice which will make him the first Gulf player to play in the best league in the world. We have an agreement with Villarreal with a condition for Akram to return to Al-Sadd in case of his departure.

Q: What about Fahad Shanin?

MG: Everyone knows that Fahad Shanin reached the Belgian top division with his team. We do not deny that we wanted him to return but his desire to stay and play in the top division was stronger. We cannot prevent him from that and so we extended his loan so that he can complete his European experience. The important point is that Fahad and Akram are in their early twenties and the time spent as professionals in Europe will be of benefit to their country and their club in the future.

Q: Final question. Have you read about the departure of Baghdad Bounedjah?

MG: Yes, I have and this is what I say; you cannot take everything that comes in the media, especially foreign media. If there is anything worth mentioning in this regard, it will be through the official channels of the club.

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