Scouting World Cup Stars: Trézéguet
As an Egyptian football player, it’s been impossible to steal some headlines from Mohamed Salah this season. However, in the huge shadow cast by Salah, Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan, more commonly known as Trézéguet, has had the season of his career – being one of the standout players in the Turkish Süper Lig, and, Egyptian international matches this season.
Having reportedly attracted interest from Premier League clubs like Leicester, Everton, a number of Bundesliga sides and Turkish giants Galatasaray, with Turkish legendary manager Fatih Terim reportedly being a big admirer, Mahmoud Trézéguet has certainly not given his stocks a fall in valuation this past season. The Egyptian left winger produced 16 goals and 8 assists in 33 appearances for his club, Kasimpasa, in the Turkish 1st tier division. Not only was he a standout performer for Kasimpasa, but he was one of the finest performers in the league as well.
Mahmoud Trézéguet started out his career in the academy of Egyptian giants Al Ahly, but he has had an eventful ride all over Europe ever since. After joining Belgian football’s most prestigious club, Anderlecht, back in 2015, Trézéguet neither fulfilled his potential nor established himself anywhere until he joined Turkish side Kasimpasa ahead of the 2016/17 season. Here, as previously mentioned, he then managed to score 16 goals and assist 8, finally making an impact and institute himself at a club.
As he faces tough competition on the left wing in the Egyptian national team from Stoke City’s talented midfielder, Ramadan Sobhi, it’s fair to say that Trézéguet has now, after the season he’s had, cemented himself as Egypt manager Hector Cuper’s first-choice left winger, and he can be expected to continue that way throughout the World Cup unless unforeseen events happen.
Trézéguet is a technically gifted player, who has a lot of flair and likes to dribble a lot. He is mainly an offensive-minded attacking left winger, who untraditionally has a high and consistent defensive contribution for a player of his role and position. Cuper has made the Kafr El Sheikh native an integral pillar in his team. Much of this trust is due to Trézéguet’s intense work rate, being the midfield workhouse that he is. He also has the ability to singlehandedly kick start a surging attack due to his high pace, his technique and his intelligence to capitalize on open spaces. Additionally: his confidence. It’s strikingly indestructible, which, frankly, is very rare to see amongst young players.
Furthermore, Trézéguet is seemingly fearless in taking on his opponent on the left flank – whoever it is. Being tipped by countless of global media experts as a hot bet to become one of the World Cup’s biggest breakthroughs this summer is additional evidence and a huge testament to the potential, quality, and the season he’s had this past year.
While scouts have been thrilled with his potential, they have identified various areas of his game to improve. He must learn to know when to let go off the ball at times (as he’s too eager to prove himself), he must learn to slow down attacks at times instead of rushing, and he must improve his decision-making. Oftentimes, he tends to overlook the easy, better option, and go for the spectacular.
With his current club, Kasimpasa, who made his loan deal permanent from Anderlecht in May, open to let go off their raw and unpolished jewel, the player has a lot hanging on the tournament this summer. Egypt is participating in the World Cup for the first time in 24 years, and therefore has a lot of hope and expectations by the Egyptian people to live up to, his individual future is also largely dependent on how good of a future he has.
Much uncertainty, indisputably, but what stands clear is; Mahmoud Trézéguet is a name and player to look out for not only in Russia this summer – but in club football as well in the future.
By: @MaaxiAngelo
Photo: Getty