Mohamed Islam Abdelkader named Algeria’s top young talent after rapid MCA rise

Mohamed Islam Abdelkader has been named the leading player in our #TalentsAlgeriens series after making an immediate impact at MC Alger.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder joined MC Alger from Paradou AC this summer alongside Ben Ahmed Kohili, and has started every match under manager Khaled Ben Yahia. He is the oldest player in the 25-man selection, but his development and current level made his inclusion an exception to the series’ usual age criteria.

Against Nigelec in the second leg of the CAF Champions League, Abdelkader looked fully established rather than like a newcomer still searching for his place. He repeatedly demanded the ball, took on opponents and attempted difficult skills, with several roulettes quickly circulating on social media.

His technique, however, is no longer simply about producing eye-catching moments. The dribble is increasingly used to escape pressure, create space or speed up an attack.

From dribbler to more complete midfielder

Radhi Jaidi, who coached Abdelkader at Paradou AC during the 2024/25 season, saw an earlier version of the player. At that stage, Abdelkader was heavily focused on beating opponents individually and had yet to develop the balance evident in his football today.

Jaidi worked on helping him recognise when not to dribble and when a pass would better serve the team. The result has been a player who retains his spontaneity but is no longer dependent on spectacular actions.

Abdelkader’s role also changed during his development. Competition at Paradou AC, including with Adil Boulbina, required the coaching staff to use him in different positions. Sofiane Benkhelifa, a coach and educator who has worked with USMA, Olympique Akbou and ES Setif, describes him as a player who prefers starting wide before moving inside.

That movement has prompted comparisons with Arjen Robben, although only in terms of the action itself and not ability. Abdelkader also possesses a powerful shot. Mourad Bounefouf, Paradou’s coordinator, recalls him scoring from about 30 metres against Rais M’Bolhi while playing for ESM.

His work without the ball has developed too. Jaidi demanded greater effort after possession was lost, while Sofiene Hidoussi later encouraged him to vary his position and interchange with team-mates.

The player who once focused mainly on his own action has learned to move for others. That has given him more solutions at MC Alger, where possession must be used to shift compact defensive blocks.

Immediate impact at MC Alger

The move to MC Alger brought a far bigger crowd, greater pressure for immediate results and considerably more media attention than he experienced at a club primarily focused on developing young players. It has not appeared to restrict him.

Ben Yahia selected him from the outset, and Abdelkader continued to demand the ball and take risks in important early matches. Jaidi has expressed no surprise, describing him as receptive, attentive and professional. Benkhelifa also rates his mentality highly.

The top three in this year’s series all came through Paradou AC and left during the same summer: Ramdaoui finished second, Kohili third and Abdelkader first. Their profiles differ, with Ramdaoui a powerful, complete centre-forward and Kohili a prolific finisher in tight spaces.

Abdelkader made 27 league appearances for Paradou last season and scored six goals. His move was therefore not that of a player new to senior football. Within weeks, he has transferred his influence to a much more demanding environment, prompting early discussion about a possible future with the Algeria senior national team.

That conversation remains premature, but it reflects the strength of his start. Abdelkader finishes top not merely because of his roulettes or the attention generated online, but because he has combined individual creativity with a growing understanding of collective play.

He still needs to sustain that level across a full season, repeat his defensive efforts and make the right decisions as opponents learn more about him. So far, his response to the step up has been emphatic: he has not abandoned the spectacular player he was, but is learning when the spectacle can serve a purpose.