Medjani currently on Eurosport..

[alias75]

Captaining France U20 in the semis against China. Watched him in this tournament and he looks a class player. Have no idea if Rafa wants to keep him but hes still very young and id like to see him have a year with Rafa and the reserves. Very composed on the ball would be an excellent compliment to someone like Antwi or Hobbs.

[Benitez]

how is he in this U20 team - he's 21

[alias75]

didnt know he was 21 but hes playing

[anny road]

how is he in this U20 team - he's 21

 

 

the same way you can over age players in the U21's I assume

[alias75]

it probabaly has something to do with WHEN you turn 21, not sure if there was a qualifying tournament but he may have been u20 during those games.

[Benitez]

it probabaly has something to do with WHEN you turn 21, not sure if there was a qualifying tournament but he may have been u20 during those games.

 

 

aye, guess so. As Dave says - you can have overrage players at U21 level, so this must be similar.

 

This tournament is invitational anyway, with France as hosts always in it, so no qualifiers.

 

He's not with the France Espoirs for their Euro Championship tournament anyway. So not up there in stature I guess with those players.

Edited May 22, 2006 by Benitez

[alias75]

Well ive watched the French games and he looks a real classy player very composed and good on the ball, he seems to read the game very well. I know we have a glut of central defenders but i think it'd be a mistake to let him go without him having a year at Melwood, from what ive seen he certainly looks as good or better than Hobbs or Antwi even though hes a different type of centre half and if hes 21 then hes a few years older.

 

At the moment hes playing right side in a back 3

[Kahnee]

what number is he? I haven't seen him since the Wrexham friendly and can't remember what he looks like

[alias75]

number 8

[Kahnee]

number 8

 

Ta

[Benitez]

Well ive watched the French games and he looks a real classy player very composed and good on the ball, he seems to read the game very well. I know we have a glut of central defenders but i think it'd be a mistake to let him go without him having a year at Melwood, from what ive seen he certainly looks as good or better than Hobbs or Antwi even though hes a different type of centre half and if hes 21 then hes a few years older.

 

At the moment hes playing right side in a back 3

 

 

I think the fact he is 21 is what may go against him. Antwi and Hobbs are 17, so time on their side to be developed here as Rafa and his coaches want. And no great rush to have them in the first team.

 

Whereas Medjani is now at an age where he needs to move on from reserve football, but that is what he'd get here if he came back. And after a full season of first team football, I doubt he'd be wanting to come back to that.

Edited May 22, 2006 by Benitez

[Maldini]

I've seen him about 10 times over the years and he's never had a bad game, he looks like a really good prospect. He's a bit slow though which the only bad thing I'd say about him.

 

Who knows though, maybe he didn't get on with Rafa.

 

Also, FSP played in the Toulon tournament last year when he was 21 so you can obviously play a few who are just over the age. I think it's officially an u21 tournament but they encourage teams to play u20 teams

[eth]

He was quite poor in the only game I've ever seen him play- the Olympiakos friendly last pre-season.

[galés rojo]

I've seen him about 10 times over the years and he's never had a bad game, he looks like a really good prospect. He's a bit slow though which the only bad thing I'd say about him.

 

 

Was going to say the same thing, watched many times in various youth games on eurosport etc and he always plays well.

 

He's a classy center back good on the ball,seems to command the defence and makes up for his lack of pace by reading the game well for such a young player.

 

He is nearly always captain at various levels and i think he'd be a good signing(if we hadn't already signed him) as a possible star of the future.

[Ian Mc]

He's the next Laurent Blanc....

[Mikey]

I thought he was captain of the U-19's last season when they won the euro's?

[RedMersey]

I think it has something to do with the year you are born. As he is born in 1985, he can play u21 throughout 2006.

[Maldini]

I thought he was captain of the U-19's last season when they won the euro's?

Nah, he was captain at Toulon last year too.

[Snoeker]

At the moment hes playing right side in a back 3

 

Whoohoo he can play 3 at the back with Carra and Agger.

 

Return of the 3-5-2 and, God willing, the spice boys

[Rich Gobey]

.

Edited May 23, 2006 by Gobez

[oojason]

He played well in the Final earlier - and his side beat Holland on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

 

Seems very composed on the ball, good range of passing, good positioning and solid at the back - and good movement going forward (he plays right side centre-back in a 3-man back line).

 

Should be interesting to see if he stays at Melwood this season - especially with Agger and Paletta providing cover for Carra and Hyypia already...

[madaboutlfc]

He was quite poor in the only game I've ever seen him play- the Olympiakos friendly last pre-season.

played as a RB if im not mistaken.. cant judge him on that