Saudi star's City trial

December 19, 2007

ASIAN Player of the Year and Saudi Arabia captain Yasser Al Qahtani will have a trial with Manchester City.

The 25-year-old striker arrived in Manchester with Al Hilal president Prince Mohammed Bin Faisal, with Sven-Goran Eriksson and his City coaching staff preparing to take a closer look at the player.

"I'm now in England after I got an invitation letter from Manchester City," said Al Qahtani.

"I'm here with Al Hilal president Prince Mohammed bin Faisal and my agent Turki Al Mukairin.

"I'm glad to train with such a good club in England and I will try my best to prove that Saudi players are good players."

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Twosips, Deansgate, work, sigh. (19/12/2007 at 14:02)

Never heard of him...but chuffin hell! This video is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING :|

It looks like has everything

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/374922/yasser_al_qahtani/

Heading ability, pace, skill, a rasping shot, work-rate and steely determination to never give up the ball!!

I KNOW there's a huge difference in gulf in between the leagues of the two continents, but he looks better than Samaras anyway!!

Urmston Blue, Manchester (19/12/2007 at 14:09)

This guy looks class. Chelsea have been linked with him too. He's so skillful it's unbelieveable! And his finishing is clinical.

M9lad, (19/12/2007 at 14:15)

Anyone know what position he plays?

Invisible Man, Manchester (19/12/2007 at 14:23)

Apparantly Chelsea wanted him on trial a month ago. Frankie's influence comes into play. Nothing ventured..

albatross, bury (19/12/2007 at 14:37)

What a great video Twosips. My only concern is his 5'5 -lack of- height. We would only need SWP in January and they will start calling Sven 'Snow White'. I can just imagine all the opposition fans singing 'Heigh Ho' and the bars start to serve only 'shorts'!

Moonhead (19/12/2007 at 14:41)

Looks good on that video. Although the defending isn't up to much. Can he do it against better defenders?? Worth a look

The Jewish Analysis (19/12/2007 at 14:45)

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

bluefield, chesterfield (19/12/2007 at 14:50)

Has Frank's money all gone then?.

The Realist, SW14 (19/12/2007 at 14:51)

bit uncomfortable with his goal celebrations but......

Christiano who !??!??!

Wigan Blue, Wigan (19/12/2007 at 15:07)

I was at the game in Jeddah against Ittihad, Paul Lake and Paul Power were at their height at the time. The Saudis had nothing really, and City just went through the motions in the second half. The Saudis love football, and it was only a matter of time before a good one came through - if he's that good let's hope Sven is impressed and snaps him up.

DURABLuE, M14 (19/12/2007 at 15:19)

in fairness, my mother (slipped disk and all) would probably be better that Samuel Harris...

having said that, this saudi lad looks good...theres a few decent vids of him on youtube too, he looks a good player.

jacko101 (19/12/2007 at 15:21)

On the BBC, it states :

"Al Qahtani was offered the chance to train with Chelsea when he was crowned Asian player of the year in November."

That can't be bad...............

Plus if he's worth £2.5m in a duff league (no offence!) then what's he worth in the Prem? :)

Mister Blue (19/12/2007 at 15:22)

I've never heard of him either, but he does look the dogs ******** on the video . . . let's hope he's another Ali Bernabia.

Just as interesting in January will be who Sven lets go . . . Sam Harris, Dabo, Dickov, The Mills twins & Corradi need to be offloaded ASAP

Karem, Roen (19/12/2007 at 15:36)

Twosips....

You should also check this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJNYfGNqTRE The Greek Ronaldhino.....Samaras!!

The guy looks good, but in youtube many does, would be interesting to see him against Vidic, Rio etc...

ganndalf (19/12/2007 at 15:40)

Albatross - Maradona was 5'5" too. (He still is, funnily enough)....this guy looks brilliant on tape, if he's strong enough to hold off defenders (like Maradona) then he could lay the smackdown on the Premiership!! (TM bluejedi).

nick lawless,caterham,surrey,(Blackley born and bred), caterham (19/12/2007 at 15:42)

Lets face it he car nt be anyworse than Mpenze,Samaras and the hapless Vassell.!!

The Blue Meanie, London (19/12/2007 at 16:39)

Can't bloody well wait.

Harry Skinters (19/12/2007 at 16:42)

The more striker trials the better....

blue moon risin (19/12/2007 at 16:45)

just watched him on video link, and thought his ball skills were great. Reminds me of jamel belmadi, keegan signed. He never cut the mustard in first team but showed flashes of brilliance when i saw him at sheff wed reserves. Good to see sven and co having a look at him though. You never know, he may be a great player in the making

it could have been SounessI (19/12/2007 at 16:53)

Clear Out, panic sale is what is required here is my list of fire damaged goods.
Danny Mills free
Matt Mills 100k
Ousmane Dabo free
Darius Vassell 1mil
Paul Dickov free
Bernado Corradi 500k
Georgious Sammaras 2-3mil

In releasing selling these 7 players we could realise nigh on 5mil pounds and by my reckoning around 150k in wages. In doing so it pays for one decent player and the wages of 4 0r 5 others. All good in theory but i admit easier said than done.

Blue (19/12/2007 at 16:54)

Be interesting to see what he can do on trial with us. Looks interesting but the premier league is clearly a big step up in quality if that video clip is anything to go by.
Would be good if we could get all of our January signings done in the first week.

albatross, bury (19/12/2007 at 16:56)

Ganndalf - you're just sticking up for the hobbits aren't you!? More seriously, with Petrov, Elano, Ireland, Al Qatani and Castillo not being the tallest or stockiest I would start to get a little concerned about how we are gonna win headers and crunching tackles higher up the pitch. Peace, love and seasons greetings to all.

Phil, Sacramento, CA U.S.A. (19/12/2007 at 17:39)

If he can handle the "physicality" of the Prem, he might be an inspired signing. He's got skills, skills, skills...

Gaz Blue, Hulme , Mancunia (19/12/2007 at 18:41)

Well I've just been on the old youtube and there is a quality video of him taking the mick out of Michael Essien in an International match..so yes he may be small in stature but the lad has skill to burn

30 years of pain, Lowestoft (19/12/2007 at 18:52)

Saudi princes are usually worth a bob or two if we sign him he might throw the odd billion Dr Franks way for further investment.

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