Tottenham starlet Bentaleb plumps for Algeria to save FA selection headache

By Rob Draper

PUBLISHED: 17:30 EST, 22 March 2014 | UPDATED: 17:30 EST, 22 March 2014

French-born  Tottenham teenager Nabil Bentaleb has saved the Football Association from one possible row over the future of the England national team.

The 19-year-old, like Manchester United’s Adnan Januzaj, might have qualified for England in the future based on residency.

While within the rules, critics claim such players would provide the FA with a dubious path to building a national side.

VIDEO: Scroll down to watch Tim Sherwood on Nabil Bentaleb's improvement

Hot Spur! Bentaleb has chose to play for Algeria instead of France and possibly England

Hot Spur! Bentaleb has chose to play for Algeria instead of France and possibly England

Eligible for England? Nabil Bentaleb
Multi-national: Adnan Januzaj

Home advantage: Bentaleb and Adnan Januzaj may have qualified for England based on residency

 

But Bentaleb has opted to play for the land of his fathers rather than the land of opportunity or the country of his birth.

Bentaleb’s parents are from Algeria and he looks likely to represent them in this summer’s World Cup, having made his Premier League debut only in December.

 

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‘It is correct that I have chosen to play for Algeria,’ said Bentaleb. ‘I’ve asked many people around me, like coaches and family, and they all told me one thing: that you have to take the decision that your heart tells you.’

Multi-national: Bentaleb was also eligible to play for the country of his birth France

Multi-national: Bentaleb was also eligible to play for the country of his birth France

Family guy: Bentaleb insists that he has followed his heart by opting to play for the country of his parents

Family guy: Bentaleb insists that he has followed his heart by opting to play for the country of his parents

Bentaleb has gone from football nobody to Premier League and international star in four months.
His Tottenham debut was on December 22 — against Southampton, who Spurs play today — but since then he has become a fixture in central midfield under Tim Sherwood.

Nobody in Algeria was aware they had a central midfielder playing at a top-five Premier League club.
However, the Algerian FA have moved swiftly, inviting him to play a friendly this month against Slovenia, in which he impressed.

He is coy about the World Cup. ‘We’ll see; it’s still a long way,’ he said. But in Algeria they consider him a certainty.

Sure thing: Bentaleb is a certainty to be selected by Algeria for the World Cup in Brazil

Sure thing: Bentaleb is a certainty to be selected by Algeria for the World Cup in Brazil

Sour note: Bentaleb leaves the field with team-mates after being knocked out of the Europa League by Benfica

Sour note: Bentaleb leaves the field with team-mates after being knocked out of the Europa League by Benfica

Bentaleb has been in England since 2011 and will qualify for a British passport in two years. The FA are considering using assimilated players and Bentaleb, like Januzaj, was in their sights.

Bentaleb is eligible still for France and England as he is yet to play a competitive game, but he will not change his mind.

Born in Lille, he played for his home team as a youngster.

But he said: ‘They kicked me out. They said I was too small.’

Ducked: Bentaleb's decision has saved the FA and Roy Hodgson a potential row over selection criteira

Ducked: Bentaleb's decision has saved the FA and Roy Hodgson a potential row over selection criteira

He passed through Excelsior Mouscron in Belgium before ending up at Dunkerque in the French third tier before trying his luck in England at 16.

‘I went on trial to Birmingham and then my agent told me to come on trial for Tottenham and it was Tim who signed me.

‘Of course, I think it would be great if he stays.’

 

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Comments (6)

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He's crap - George Johnson, London, United Kingdom, 23/03/2014 08:58 And so are you tool..

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He's crap

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Maybe the fa should concentrate on building a decent youth system rather than snatching young players that aren't even eligible for a couple of years

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He had a half decent debut and that's it, since that he's been terrible and Tim keeps picking him, but I don't mind as him and Sherwood won't be at spurs next season

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Sorry but i think this guy has been way overhyped (by Tim Sherwood especially!). He is half-decent and definitely a EPL level player but nowhere near good enough for a side fighting for European places ...... for now. He might improve in the future but at the moment, playing him ahead of Paulinho, Capoue and the loaned out Holtby is simply mind baffling. Send him out on loan and see how he does elsewhere. Because at the moment, he is not adding much to Spurs' midfield at all.

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i don't know what player youv'e been watching on the tv mate but he has been a cracking little player this season did you see him against benfica or was basketball on at the same time because where i sit everyone around me thinks he's been a terrific find

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