West Bromwich Albion have bolstered their defensive options with the signing of Egyptian international Ahmed Hegazi on a season-long loan, with the option to make the move permanent next summer.
The 26-year-old joins from Egyptian side Al Ahly, and according to Baggies head coach Tony Pulis, will be a welcome new face at the Hawthorns:
“We’re pleased he’s here, he’s a good addition. He’s got good pedigree and has played for some good clubs. Hopefully, he’ll be a good signing for us. With it being a loan and, if he does well, we’ve already agreed a final deal. It’s really, really good for us.”
The History
Hegazi began his youth career at Egyptian club Ismaily, and progressed to make 28 appearances for the first-team between 2009 and 2012, scoring one goal.
In December 2011, Italian side Fiorentina agreed to pay € 1.5 million for the centre-back, but he would only make four appearances in all competitions over the next three years, with injuries – including reconstructive surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament – severely disrupting his progress.
He spent the second half of the 2014/15 campaign on loan at Serie B outfit Perugia and featured 10 times, before moving to Al Ahly in September 2015.
Hegazi chalked up 56 appearances over the past two seasons, registering two goals and one assist, and was a key member of the side that won back-to-back league titles.
It’s on the international stage where Hegazi has really made his mark, though.
He made his senior debut against Sierra Leone in September 2011 and has made 39 appearances for his country, producing one goal and two assists.
Hegazi shone at the 2017 African Cup of Nations as Egypt advanced all the way to the final, only to lose 2-1 to Cameroon, with the centre-back named in the team of the tournament.
The Prospects
With Pulis having few defensive alternatives outside of Craig Dawson, Gareth McAuley, Jonny Evans, Allan Nyom and the versatile Chris Brunt, the need to bring in reinforcements ahead of the new season was obvious.
Standing at 6ft 5in tall, Hegazi’s aerial prowess seems well-suited to Pulis’ ideal profile for a central defender. Providing he settles in England, he should provide solid competition for Evans and – in particular – McAuley.
Hegazi will relish coming up against big target men, although he does lack pace and could struggle when left one-on-one against pacey attackers.
But given Pulis’ preference for a deep defensive line to limit the space behind the back four, Hegazi shouldn’t find himself exposed on too many occasions.
The Baggies often retreat to the edge of their own penalty area, deploying a rigid back four with additional screening by central midfielders. Hegazi’s strength and positional awareness in that scenario will be key factors.
The Egyptian looks destined, at least initially, to be the back-up behind McAuley as he’s eased into his new surrounds. But he could get a chance sooner than expected if the Northern Ireland international’s thigh problem fails to clear over the next few weeks.
McAuley is also turning 38 in December and is unlikely he’ll be able to start every match. He was withdrawn early in fixtures throughout April and May, with a season of hard knocks taking their toll. That recognition of the centre-back’s tiring legs is perhaps a hint of what’s to come over the new campaign.
Pulis does have Dawson as an option in central defence and could shift Nyom to right-back, deploying Chris Brunt on the left. However, if Hegazi settles quickly, he looks a natural successor to McAuley alongside club skipper Evans – not least because of his towering presence at set-plays.
Crucially, Hegazi has been handed a starting price of 4.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), making him the cheapest Baggies defender in the game. The same applies in Sky Sports, with the new recruit priced at just 6.2.
But given the goal threat of McAuley and Dawson, along with the two West Brom goalkeepers proving very popular as an 8.5 “fire and forget” combination, Hegazi will struggle to make an early impression on Fantasy managers.
Baggies defensive assets are set to be in demand as we select our Gameweek 1 squads, due primarily to their very favourable opening schedule (BOU, bur, STO, bha, WHM).
Ben Foster is currently sitting in 20.6% of squads, while McAuley boasts an ownership of 11.6%.
Fantasy managers will be hoping they can improve on the meagre six clean sheets they managed last term. The fact that they ranked ninth for fewest shots conceded from inside the box last term offers hope they can do just that.
West Brom’s pre-season matches should provide further insight as to how Hegazi is settling in. Indeed, he was immediately handed a starting role alongside Evans against Leicester City on Wednesday, with Nyom and Dawson stationed at full-back.
Ultimately, Hegazi’s Fantasy potential may depend on how much Pulis decides to manage McAuley’s minutes.
If he can cement a regular role, the new arrival could certainly play a part in our thinking as a route into a West Brom outfit that scored 16 goals from corners in 2016/17 – more than any other side.
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