Hamdaoui Provides Assurance on Mahrez's Successor
National coach Ibrahim Hamdaoui opened the competition for the right-wing position following Riyad Mahrez's retirement from international play.
During a press conference held on Thursday to announce the list of players selected for training at the end of the month, Hamdaoui confirmed that the national team has several options to fill this position, as attention turns to names capable of carrying on the legacy of the former captain of the "Greens."
The options are not limited to just one name, as the team has players who can operate on the right side, such as Anis Haj Moussa, Mohamed Bachir Beloumi, or even Ilan Qabal.
Hamdaoui attempted to clarify the discussion, emphasizing that having multiple players performing at high levels is a valuable addition to the coaching staff, without implying that any of them is required to replicate Mahrez's experience with the national team.
Hamdaoui stated: “We have options in Mahrez's position, and this is a kind of luxury for us. There are players active in the top European leagues.”
However, the national coach also stressed the difficulty of comparing any player to Mahrez, explaining: “It is hard to be a substitute for Mahrez and to be the number one player; the two situations are different.”
