When Youssef Msakni was ruled out of the World Cup in April it was a huge blow for Tunisia. Coach Nabil Maaloul had previously described his absence like “Portugal without Cristiano Ronaldo” or Argentina without Lionel Messi.
However, Tunisia have looked comfortable without the winger in the pre-tournament matches and that’s with their now star player still missing. Wahbi Khazri is hoping to return against England, which would be a major boost for his national side.
Khazri is perhaps known to English fans for his short-spell at Sunderland. The attacker moved from Ligue One club Bordeaux in January 2016 and spent 18 months on Wearside.
His man-of-the-match performance against Manchester United just a fortnight after he signed was the perfect way to announce himself to the supporters. Khazri’s free-kick gave Sunderland the lead after just three minutes, whilst it was his corner that saw Lamina Kone head in the winner.
Under former England manager Sam Allardyce, Sunderland achieved Premier League survival and Khazri certainly played his role. “He may not be the greatest tactician, but he’s a great manager who makes his team work and progress,” said Khazri on Allardyce to French newspaper L'Equipe in December.
Khazri is not just exceptional at set-piece situations but has fantastic dribbling technique and the capability to make key passes. His adaptability means he can play anywhere across the front three, whilst he doesn’t shirk his defensive duties.
However, he made just seven starts in his second campaign with David Moyes at the helm, as they dropped into the Championship. “The latter (Moyes) left me aside, he felt that I did not have the qualities to play in his team ... And we were relegated,” Khazri remarked to another French outlet Sud Ouest.
Khazri excelled back in France last season, where he was on-loan at Rennes. The forward scored nine league goals in a ‘false nine’ position.
“Wahbi has had a remarkable season, perhaps his best ever in Ligue One, and I hope for him, but especially for us, that it does not end there,” admitted Rennes coach Sabri Lamouchi, who is of Tunisian descent. “If Rennes manages to keep him, it will be extraordinary, but with the season that he has had it would not surprise me that he would want to go to a top club, because he has the ability.”
Rennes finished fifth and qualified for the Europa League, but Khazri’s wages and potential transfer fee means he is unlikely to return next term. He still has two years remaining on his Sunderland contract and he will almost certainly leave on a permanent basis this summer.
Besiktas are interested and he will likely attract more suitors if he can show his maximum in Russia. Khazri has missed the last month through injury but is optimistic of making the starting 11 against England.
“I may not be able to play the 90 minutes but what really matters is that I can help the Tunisia national team,” said Khazri recently. “I’m not the leader, it’s the whole team.”
