The summer transfer window for Algerian national team players, particularly those plying their trade in Europe, has been notably sluggish, falling short of expectations for both fans and players seeking to advance their careers. This lack of movement has been a source of frustration for national team coach Vladimir Petkovic, who has emphasized the importance of regular playing time for his squad members.
In June, Petkovic held discussions with key players, including Villarreal defender Aïssa Mandi, stressing that without regular club appearances, their places in the national team could be at risk.
This stern message was directed at several players who now find themselves in precarious situations, such as Kevin Guitoun of Metz, currently in Ligue 2, and Islam Slimani, who is without a club.
Their inactivity poses significant challenges to their future with the national team.
While the transfer window has been largely uneventful for many of the Greens, a few players have managed to secure promising moves.
Anis Hadj-Moussa has made a notable step up by joining Dutch giants Feyenoord Rotterdam, while Mohamed El-Amine Amoura has attracted attention with his signing at Wolfsburg.
These moves have positioned them as rising stars within the national team setup.
However, these successful transfers are exceptions rather than the norm.
Several other national team players, such as Amine Gouiri (Stade de Rennes), Rafik Guitane (Estoril Praia), and Mohamed Bachir Belloumi (Farense SC), have yet to finalize any significant moves.
Belloumi, in particular, has been linked to Olympique de Marseille, but negotiations have yet to yield results.
Veteran players like Islam Slimani and Aïssa Mandi are still on the hunt for new clubs, hoping to secure their international careers.
Slimani, in particular, is actively seeking opportunities in France, Brazil, or other leagues.
Similarly, Youcef Atal is aiming to join a major championship, while Kevin Guitoun remains adamant about not playing in Ligue 2 with Metz next season.
Midfielders Houssem Aouar and Ismaël Bennacer are at the center of transfer rumors linking them to moves from Italy to Saudi Arabia.
Aouar, currently with AS Roma, has attracted interest from Al-Ittihad SC, where he could reunite with Laurent Blanc and Karim Benzema.
At 26, a move to Saudi Arabia could significantly alter his career trajectory.
Bennacer, also 26, faces uncertainty under AC Milan’s new coach Paulo Fonseca, who has yet to decide on the Algerian’s role.
The prospect of these players moving to Saudi Arabia, despite their young age and potential, is viewed by some as a regression.
With the transfer window still open, there is hope among Algerian supporters that players like Rayan Aït-Nouri and Mohamed Bachir Belloumi might secure major transfers before the deadline.
As the window progresses, fans and players alike are keenly watching for any developments that could bolster the national team and enhance individual careers.
In the meantime, the slow pace of transfers remains a point of concern, highlighting the challenges Algerian players face in securing pivotal moves that could ensure their continued growth and success both at the club and international levels.
