Karim El-Ahmadi

[paul_e]

Surely the Dutch league is the one which has provided more players unable to make the step up than any other?

It has also produced some great players, both Dutch and foreign.  The style of play is great for developing players but is also an easy ride for average players who look better than they are.

The speed of the game is the problem, the dutch league is just so slow.


The players who go on to be genuinely world class usually get out of there by about 22-23.

[Toronto Villa]

I don't mind him but he's not a player we'd miss if he left. He's kind of just there when he plays.

[paul_e]

I don't mind him but he's not a player we'd miss if he left. He's kind of just there when he plays.

I agree too much of the game passes him by, he runs around a lot but has very little impact in most games.

[PaulWinch again]

I think Sanchez is essentially our upgrade on him.

[pooligan]

No great loss if he were to leave in my opinion .

[mjravfc]

I don't mind him but he's not a player we'd miss if he left. He's kind of just there when he plays.

Same here.  All our other midfielders are better at a certain aspect of the game than him, eg Westwood passing, Delph getting forward etc.

[Matt Collins]

None of them press as effectively as KEA

[tomd2103]

He's a decent squad player at best.  I think the fact that most of his appearances have been in the same midfield as Westwood hasn't helped as they are a bit too similar.     

[Jarpie]

He's too much of a "Jack of all trades"-kind of midfielder who does many things very averagely but doesn't excell in anything really. What we'd need more in our situation are specialized midfielders IMO.

[paul_e]

None of them press as effectively as KEA

That's totally irrelevant though, pressing only works if the whole team are doing it as a unit.  with KEA it often means he's out of position andleaving gaps in much more dangerous positions.  This is part of the reason the game passes him by so often.

[Toronto Villa]

I think KEA does a brilliant impression of pressing without actually ever getting that close to the opposing player.

[tomd2103]

He's too much of a "Jack of all trades"-kind of midfielder who does many things very averagely but doesn't excell in anything really. What we'd need more in our situation are specialized midfielders IMO.

I think that sums it up well really.  Now we have Sanchez, what we really need is a similar player to Delph to play the other side who can chip in with a few goals.   

[edgysatsuma89]

I think KEA does a brilliant impression of pressing without actually ever getting that close to the opposing player.

This for me, along with the 'all fart no shit'. He flatters to deceive.

[eamonn]

If he's holding up Gardner getting a game then get rid. Nice guys finish last.

[supertom]

He's got ability. He's tidy with the ball. He often looks a lot better in pre-season because the pace is slow and he has time on the ball. Give him time on the ball and he looks like he could make a half decent playmaker. The trouble is, at this level he's not got enough zip about him. He dwells too much, and doesn't think quickly enough.

He's better than Sylla, but ultimately, probably will rank as one of the most forgettable players we've ever had. Not very good, and at the same time not so bad that you'd look back with a grimace and a shake of the head.