Vladimir Petković faces midfield dilemma ahead of Algeria’s November call-up

Vladimir Petković is preparing to announce his Algeria squad for the November international break, where the Greens will face Zimbabwe and Saudi Arabia in friendlies on the 13th and 18th in Jeddah.

All eyes will be on the midfield — a department overflowing with talent but limited by space.

Hicham Boudaoui appears to be the only guaranteed name in Petković’s midfield plans.

The Nice midfielder, who has started nine straight matches, has earned his place through consistency and influence.

Yet beyond him, the competition for selection is fierce, with several in-form candidates pushing for inclusion ahead of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Bennacer’s resurgence and Aouar’s revival
Ismaël Bennacer’s return to full fitness has significantly reshaped the midfield equation.

The AC Milan star, now on loan at Dinamo Zagreb, has started four consecutive matches and is gradually regaining his rhythm.

Alongside him, Houssem Aouar’s recent performances for Al Ittihad FC have drawn attention, reminding Petković of the creativity he can bring to Algeria’s central core.

These developments could spell trouble for Adem Zograne, whose shaky outing against Uganda during the October window may have weakened his standing.

There are concerns that he may have missed his chance to impress Petković, one insider suggested, reflecting the uncertainty around the young midfielder’s international future.

Abdelli and Titraoui pushing for inclusion
Himad Abdelli has been in excellent form since recovering from back surgery that sidelined him earlier in the season.

The Angers SCO midfielder has impressed in Ligue 2 and looks ready to reclaim his place in the national setup.

Meanwhile, Yacine Titraoui, 22, continues to excel at RSC Charleroi, with his tireless work rate and energy making a strong case for a debut call-up.

Seven candidates, four places
When experience and youth are combined, Petković faces a pool of seven midfielders competing for just four spots.

Nabil Bentaleb remains a key figure despite limited playing time at Lille OSC — featuring only three times as a substitute since the last international break — while Ramiz Zerrouki, dropped in October, could still return given his past reliability for Algeria.

Balancing form, fitness, and familiarity will be no easy task.

The abundance of midfield talent is both a blessing and a burden for Petković, who must now decide whether to maintain his trusted core or take bold steps toward renewal.

As Algeria’s head coach finalizes his list, the question lingers: will he stay loyal to experience or open the door to emerging stars? The answer will come soon enough — and could define the shape of Algeria’s midfield for the years ahead.