Goodbye to Karim El Ahmadi

[SoccerHQ]

He actually had some decent games for us last season, usually away as him in home games summed up our lack of creativity in the middle.

Probably sums up our averageness in midfield these days but still wish him luck back in the dutch league.

[pauliewalnuts]

I know he is a poor midfield creator, but surely his departure means we have someone for that role coming in?

It can't be Cole. His age and glass-based construction rule that out.

[Risso]

Mostly harmless.

[tomd2103]

Not good enough with any regularity in this league.

Best of luck to him though.

Key point I think.  Would have been OK as a squad player who came in for the odd game, but not as a regular starter.  Wish him good luck with his the rest of his career.

Leaves us very short in midfield though with him gone and Gardner out on loan.   

We have already signed 3 to play in midfield (Sanchez, Richardson & Cole) so I don't think numbers is going to be the issue.

No way Cole could play in the midfield three we normally play, so if we continue that way we have Sanchez, Westwood, Delph and Richardson.  Way too short on numbers in there.   

[Matt Collins]

Could never understand the level of criticism he got.

Good luck to him.

He was clearly out of his depth in the Premier League. Did you ever see him play for us?

I saw him play in all but one of our wins last season and play a vital tactical role against the top six sides we played, yes.

No great loss but an over criticised player

[LeeB]

Mostly harmless.

Was that what they said on that leaked Palace scouting sheet?

[Toronto Villa]

I know he is a poor midfield creator, but surely his departure means we have someone for that role coming in?

It can't be Cole. His age and glass-based construction rule that out.

Lambert suggested a couple coming in. A midfielder going would suggest one being a midfielder, which could off course be Cleverley. I still think there will be two more in before the end

[Grande Pablo]

Interesting translation from http://nos.nl/artikel/692438-el-ahmadi-terug-bij-feyenoord.html

Karim El Ahmadi returns to Feyenoord. The 29-year-old midfielder signed a contract for several seasons. Two years ago he left the Kuip before the English Aston Villa. Feyenoord wants to transfer only confirm if El Ahmadi medical examination behind it.

Feyenoord reportedly pay around 700,000 euros for El Ahmadi, who in his first time at Feyenoord to 94 league matches and in it four times struck goal. The Cockpit is the midfielder reunited with Fred Rutten, who previously was coach at FC Twente.

[olaftab]

Good luck Karim and thanks for that equaliser against Manciti last season.

[gervilla]

Best of luck  to him.
He was too easily muscled off the ball, his tackling was crap and he was some man to give the ball away.
Thanks for the few vital goals last season though.

[enigma]

Championship level player if we're honest. Could never put together a consistently high level of performances. Always seemed a little too meek out on the pitch. All too often he'd come off second best to some pretty poor opposition midfielders.

[PaulWinch again]

Reasonable player good luck to him.

[Louzie0]

Good luck Karim and thanks for that equaliser against Manciti last season.

Hear hear!

[Holte Sweet]

I don't wish him any ill.I just wish he had never been signed.

[manic-road]

Tara Karim all the best. I certainly hope we have better players lined up to replace him