No player is bigger than the club is popular phrase in the game and one that Algerian attacker El Mouadene is now aware of.
Abdellah El Mouadene was added to bolster JSK Kabylie’s squad in the Algerian premier league side’s attempt at revival this year.
Paraded before the cameras flaunting the club’s jersey at his unveiling, the playmaker joined Kabylie June this term from MC Alger.
Being one of the North African country domestic league’s best dribblers, excitement poured over at news of his signing.
JSK near abysmal run last term was result of a midfield devoid of creativity. By a thin thread, they managed to escape clutches of demotion and President Cherif Mellal wasted little time to prepare for the forthcoming league session with Abdellah one of those recruited.
The 24-year-old, it was hoped, would jell well with fellow new arrival Nigeria’s Uche Nwofor. To the surprise of fans, the man tipped to blossom was the first out of the door.
Born in Oran, northwest of Algeria, Mouadene’s fallout with the club began during a recent pre-season tour of Germany.
French-born coach Frank Dumas is known not to put up with player ego in his dressing room and has a policy of selection based on performance, refusing to believe in the adage of guaranteed regular pick status to key players whatever the circumstance.
Abdellah’s move from Alger to Kabylie was influenced by promise of regular playing time. This marked beginning of an end to player-coach rapport. Franck does not deny the attacking midfielder’s talent but his concept of every player contributing in defence meant El Mouadene is peripheral in his plans. By the first two games against lower division German outfits FC Saarbruken and SW Weisback and against Luxembourg’s Hamm Benfica, the row between the two had deepened.
The coach pointed out areas requiring improvement –a matter that didn’t bode well with the technically gifted player.
No improvements were noticed in the star’s game against Saarbrucken and he had to be hauled off at half-time. Up against Lebach, he responded with a statement, scoring a free-kick and creating a penalty but this appeared not to have persuaded his coach who surprisingly left him on the bench in the subsequent match.
Cracks began to show in the pair’s already deteriorating relationship by the time the team returned to Algeria. Dumas had made up his mind to shove the player out of the exit door.
The player’s high wages were considered a burden for an outfit battling to balance its finances, fast-tracking his imminent departure.
Club president Millal’s intervention to defuse the situation came much too late.
JSK Kabylie are already set about forging on without the starlet this campaign, as the league starts next week Wednesday.
