Ligue 1: Wahbi Khazri, a timely renaissance

The joy of Wahbi Khazri after a goal against Strasbourg in Ligue 1. FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP

Text by: Farid Achache Follow

5 mins

Saturday April 24 against Brest, Saint-Étienne could win a victory that would almost be synonymous with maintenance.

Coach Claude Puel will certainly be able to count on Tunisian international Wahbi Khazri, who has shone in recent weeks after a complicated period.

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Crossed several times during the African Cups of Nations and at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Wahbi Khazri is one of the players who never shies away from questions, nor their responsibility.

The Tunisian international, pushed to the exit and removed from the group by coach Claude Puel is returning to the front of the stage to allow Saint-Étienne to end the 2020-2021 season more calmly.

He finally came out of the closet to score in the last three victories of the Greens against Angers (1-0), Nîmes (2-0) and Bordeaux (4-1), club against which he scored the first hat-trick of his career.

"

When I am trusted, it does not go too badly generally 

"

“ 

It wasn't easy for him, but he's mentally strong. We talk to each other every day on the phone but he is not the type to complain and feel sorry,

”testified his big brother Foued in the columns of the

Parisian

. Adding: " 

Wahbi is a respectful person, it is not his type to shout in his corner or go out and make big statements. We were educated like that

. Encouraged by the family clan, and also the Tunisian selection (he had opted for Tunisia in 2012 under the leadership of Sami Trabelsi), Wahbi Khazri, 30, did not lower his head and continued to believe in his profession . Because Saint-Étienne would have liked to send it to Qatar or Turkey. He didn't want these destinations.

“

When I am trusted, it usually doesn't go too badly. I wasn't playing for certain reasons but that didn't make me a bad player. I have never been one. I did not change. It's not an easy season for me but I've always tried to have the right frame of mind,

”said the captain of the Carthage Eagles after his hat-trick against Bordeaux. “ 

Wahbi Khazri has made the efforts in recent weeks and has made himself indispensable. The group wants to experience something good until the end of the season without giving up anything

, ”commented Claude Puel.

Last summer, his high salary, around 200,000 euros per month, made him a target for the technician in his cost reduction policy, while Saint-Étienne is in financial difficulties both because of the health crisis and that of rights. TV.

The Tunisian had therefore found himself in an ejection seat, like Yann M'Vila, a free party at Olympiakos in Greece, or even the Algerian international Ryad Boudebouz whose departure could not materialize despite an offer in the Middle East.

But both players may have to look for a way out again this summer.

Tunisians Wahbi Khazri and Taha Khenissi (right) contributed to the Carthage Eagles' thirteenth straight qualification for an African Cup of Nations.

SALAH HABIBI / AFP

Claude Puel's pressure

The Greens had obtained the transfer of Khazri from Sunderland for 7 million euros in July 2018. But in October 2019, Claude Puel had already expressed his dissatisfaction with him by criticizing his performance. “

I'm not asking him to walk on water, just to run on the ground,

” he said. Less efficient, the N ° 10 Stéphanois finished the 2019-2020 financial year with only three goals and two assists. However, the previous season, he had largely shone with thirteen goals and six assists.  

Saturday, at home, against Brest, for the 34th day, Wahbi Khazri will certainly want to prove that Saint-Étienne can still count on him, at least until the end of the season.

The man who had already experienced a renaissance at Stade Rennais after his departure from the Premier League is visibly resourceful.

We remember that even eliminated from the 2018 World Cup after the first two meetings, he wanted to come out with his head held high.

Against Panama, for the third meeting of the Carthage Eagles, he scored a goal at the end of the first period and delivered an assist. 

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