Tala’ea El-Gaish rule out Mohamed Atef loan termination despite Zamalek interest

Tala’ea El-Gaish technical director Jumaa Mashhour has dismissed reports suggesting that Zamalek could seek to recall Mohamed Atef from his loan spell during the upcoming January transfer window.

Mashhour confirmed that the club has not received any official approach from Zamalek regarding the early termination of the midfielder’s loan, while making it clear that El-Gaish would be reluctant to release him even if such a request arrives.

“We have not received any official request from Zamalek Club regarding cutting off Mohamed Atef’s loan,” Mashhour said in an interview with Mega FM’s Game and the Second programme.

“The player is one of the key elements in the team, and we are keen to complete his loan with us.”

Mashhour went further, insisting that he would reject any formal attempt by Zamalek to bring the player back before the end of his loan agreement.

“Certainly, if Zamalek officially requests to terminate Mohamed Atef’s loan, I will refuse, because he is one of the essential and important elements in the team,” he added.

Atef has reportedly become an important part of El-Gaish’s plans, with Mashhour praising his performances alongside those of Islam Mohareb.

The technical director believes both players have done enough to warrant consideration for the Egypt national team.

“There are players in Tala’ea El-Gaish who have been performing at a high level with the team since the beginning of the league, and Mohamed Atef and Islam Mohareb deserve to be in the ranks of the Egyptian national team,” he said.

El-Gaish are also targeting a strong finish in the Egyptian Premier League, with Mashhour revealing that the club has set its sights on securing a place among the top six.

“Our ambition is very high to be among the top six in the league,” he stated. “The board of directors provides us with all the capabilities, and the team is performing exceptionally well so far in the league championship.”

Mashhour also weighed in on the debate surrounding Egyptian coaches, arguing that domestic coaches have shown considerable quality in the league this season.

“The Egyptian coach has great potential and is superior to the foreign coach in the league this season,” he said.

He also welcomed the prospect of having an Egyptian coach lead the national team, arguing that local coaches can provide players with greater opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.

“Having a national coach at the head of the technical staff of the Egyptian national team is a great thing, and it makes the players more able to prove themselves to be included in the Pharaohs’ squad,” he added.

Assessing the competitiveness of the current league campaign, Mashhour said the season has been more demanding than the previous one due to the preparations made by clubs across the division.

“This season’s league is more difficult than last season’s, and all the teams have prepared well,” he explained.

Mashhour identified Pyramids as the team he believes has made the strongest preparations so far, while acknowledging the strength of the two traditional giants.

“Pyramids is currently the most prepared and has a strong squad, but Al-Ahly and Zamalek remain the strongest candidates to win the league,” he concluded.