Wahbi Khazri was a Sam Allardyce signing for Sunderland, as the now Everton manager went about saving the club’s Premier League status.
The move from Bordeaux hasn’t worked out perfectly for Khazri, who has always had ambitions of playing for one of the world’s biggest clubs. Now on loan at Rennes following Sunderland’s relegation in the summer, Khazri has been speaking to L’Equipe about his career decisions.
Asked if it was a mistake to move to England in the first place, Khazri explained: “Even if I didn’t play last season, I don’t regret it because I had a lot of fun in training. It made me progress mentally, I hardened myself because I was frustrated at the weekend not to play. But I continued working for me, to have fun for me. Otherwise, I went home and was arguing with my wife. (laughs)
“I don’t regret a second because it was the Premier League, a championship that attracted me, that I wanted to discover. And when ‘Big Sam’ calls you, a very famous coach in England, it makes you want to move. He may not be the greatest tactician, but he’s a great manager who makes his team work and progress. Against Chelsea, I scored a great goal, Hazard and Willian came to congratulate me at full time, it was nice. If guys like that come to talk to me, it’s because they recognise my qualities.”
Allardyce’s powers of persuasion will likely be need by Everton during the January transfer window, both with his board and any potential new signings. Everton are in a far better position than Sunderland were, but more is expected of the manager this time.
As for Khazri, he had a good performance for Rennes on Saturday, scoring a goal in a 2-0 victory over Amiens. Could the attacking midfielder be a surprise Allardyce recruit for Everton in January? No, because he played for Sunderland before his loan this season, and can’t now sign for a third club.
