Sunderland continued their early summer recruitment drive by agreeing a £500K year-long loan deal with Egyptian club ENPPI for adaptable right-sided player Ahmed Al-Muhamaddi. The move comes with an option to make the move for the 22 year old Egyptian international – nicknamed the Egyptian Beckham due to his excellent crossing- a permanent one next summer for £2m.
Having failed in a bid for Al-Muhammadi on the final day of the January transfer window this year, Steve Bruce ensured there would be no repeat by sealing the deal in early July for a lightning-quick player who is also just as comfortable on the right wing as he is at right-back.
Over the last couple of years there has been interest from various clubs throughout Europe, but having impressed on trial at the Stadium of Light, Al-Muhammadi’s heart was set on a move to Wearside. His new boss was delighted with the capture, saying:
“His pace and direct style will be an asset to us and give the team an extra dimension. He is already an experienced international, which will serve him well as he adjusts to life. I expect it will take him time to settle but Ahmed is a player who can have a big impact in this division and we welcome him to the club.”
The Statistics
Opinion…
Andy
“Steve Bruce certainly likes to dabble in the Egyptians doesn’t he? First Amr Zaki and now Al-Muhammadi. If he can be a breakout signing like Zaki (originally) was, then he may prove to be fantasy dynamite.
With an abundance of options on the wings, and at right-back, I dare not jump right in at the deep end on this one.
But, seeing as he is classified as a defender in FPL, I wait with baited breath at the potential of a wonderful Out Of Position proposition.”
Al-Muhammadi started his first-team career as a 17 year old, turning out for Ghaal El-Mehalla in his native country, making 17 appearances and grabbing 4 goals over the course of a season. He then moved on to ENPPI for a couple of years, where he turned out 54 times, scoring 9 goals and assisting 12 times before Sunderland came calling.
Already, he has made 38 appearances for his country, scoring just the 1 goal, though he has split his time playing in both defence and midfield down the right. He was a key member of the Egypt side that captured their third successive African Cup of Nations back in January this year.
The Prospects
The recent signing of Marco Angeleri has given the biggest hint of all as to how Steve Bruce interprets Al-Muhammadi’s position in the side.
Upon sealing the deal for Angeleri, Bruce described him as “one of the best right-backs in South America”, indicating he has been bought specifically to bolster the back four, which adds weight to the theory that, when he takes to the pitch, Al-Muhammadi will play as a winger.
Going on last season’s performances, the Black Cats clearly need more pace and creativity down the right wing; with Steed Malbranque not the quickest and Frazier Campbell- despite a decent turn out wide in the latter stages of last season- is certainly not a natural creator. Al-Muhammadi’s characteristics seem ideal for a starring role in the Premier League, and Bruce would surely serve Sunderland’s cause better by playing the new man further forward.
Intriguingly, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) have categorized Al-Muhammadi as a defender, and at £4.5m, a cut-price one at that. With Gareth Bale and Martin Olsson now classified as midfielders, Al Muhammadi may well turn out to be the upcoming season’s out-of-position defender Fantasy managers have been looking for, though as Bruce has already shown caution over throwing him into the thick of things too soon, many will reserve judgement until the newcomer starts to settle.