an inevitable divorce? / France / Stade brestois / SOFOOT.com

“According to my information, Youcef Belaïli and the Brestois stadium, it’s over! » It is by these words that Saïd Fellak, journalist for Canal Algérie, lit the fuse on Monday. One of the ways to understand this supposed disagreement: the banishment of the player during the trip to Paris. Explosive information confirmed by Mehdi Amazigh Dahak, founder and publication director of seriousness DZ Football. Contacted, Stade Brestois was surprised at the panic around his case, before ensuring that no formal request from the player or his representatives had been sent to them. Called up for this international break, the Fennec is supposed to find his way back to the training center this Wednesday, or Thursday depending on the return flights, like his compatriot Islam Slimani. The Finistère club confirms that a point is planned between Grégory Lorenzi, the sporting director, and the internationals on their return to make an initial assessment of the start of the season. For his part, the father and agent of the player, Abdelhafid Belaïli, did not respond to our requests.

Arrived from Qatar SC on the last day of the 2022 winter transfer window, the 30-year-old winger, who would nevertheless be one of coach Der Zakarian’s favorite players, will have blown hot and cold during his first months with his new club (3 goals in 13 games). The Algerian international, who came to the end of his freelance in June after a great end to the season, was already expected to leave this summer. In an interview given to Telegram in May, some signs of hesitation about its future were already appearing: “No, I am not satisfied. I hoped I could do more. But inch allah, next season, I stay in Ligue 1 to score a lot of goals and make a lot of assists. Will it be in Brest? God willing ! » Finally, the story does not end there. The Algerian returns for an additional season on July 10. News that delights Brest supporters, aware of the player’s potential. A very technical left winger, he is able to make the difference and to have brilliant inspirations, like his tumble against Clermont at Le-Blé or even this magnificent pawn against Monaco. But apart from these few flashes, the native of Oran was above all irregular.

Delays, average physical condition and a bill of 50,000 euros

Holder four times this season, the man with 40 caps with Algeria has delivered two assists in six games, but has not yet managed to fully adapt to Ligue 1. Apart from against Bordeaux the last year he never played a full match. His lack of professionalism has often been pointed out, in particular because of his delays in training and his not always optimal physical condition. Brest On Air reveals that the player would have even sent his cousin in his place to carry out a battery of medical tests last July before the pre-season camp in Dinard. Worse, his extra-sporting setbacks would exasperate the club. According The Telegrama bill of 50,000 euros for renovation work in the house he rented in Relecq-Kerhuon would not have pleased the Brest management, not used to managing this kind of case.

After eight months with the Ty’Zefs, Youcef Belaïli is at a crossroads. If he leaves Brittany by terminating his contract, he will leave a taste of unfinished business with Stade supporters who quickly became attached to his atypical and spectacular profile, capable of dynamiting dull encounters, which earned him to be often gave Francis Le-Blé a standing ovation. After his ghostly stint in Angers in 2017, his arrival in Finistère seemed like the perfect opportunity for him to restore his image and finally launch his career in Europe. Given his potential, it’s hard not to be frustrated when he sees his trajectory, but the season is still long, and Belaïli has his place in a Brest eleven that is quite borrowed offensively. At 31, a return to the Persian Gulf would be the preferred track in the event of departure. If the trend is confirmed, it would be a very disappointing outcome for the two parties for whom this adventure was a bet. The hours that will arrive will be decisive in this case, including Brest, 19^e in the standings, would have gone well.

By Thomas Morlec