How Arab world’s finest fared as Premier League kicks off

Arab News scores Salah and co. as region’s star players strut their stuff in England’s top league

Arab stars showing off their skills in England increase season-on-season, with nine Arabs now lining up in the Premier League.

Here Arab News gives its scout’s report on the men representing the region in the world’s most popular league.

MOHAMED SALAH — LIVERPOOL: When you are known as the “Egyptian Messi” it seems fair to say two things: You must be quite good, and there is a lot of pressure on your shoulders to prove it.

Even if you ignore the nickname, Salah is the new poster boy of Arab football. No stranger to big transfer fees — he moved to Chelsea in 2014 for £11 million, and Roma, two years later for £13 million — he became Liverpool’s most expensive buy ever this summer when he moved from the Italian capital to Anfield. And when you consider the legends of the game who have played for the Reds, that is a daunting accolade to have.

His record suggests, however, he will kick any doubts some may have into Row Z.

Salah’s 18-game stint at Chelsea says more about the vagaries of team selection at Stamford Bridge than it does about his ability. It is his time at Roma that hints at just how good the winger is.

He negotiated Serie A’s claustrophobically-tight defenses with flair and ease, scoring 29 goals in 65 appearances. Add in his 29 strikes in 53 matches for Egypt and it is not hard to see what attracted Jurgen Klopp to the 25-year-old.

Salah’s Liverpool debut on Saturday against Watford gave a glimpse of what might follow. He played as part of an attacking three which, when considering the Reds’ dodgy defense, will be key to the side’s chances of success this season. He scored the third in the 3-3 draw and gave a good first impression.

He has always had the ability, now he has the stage on which to live out his dreams and become Arab football’s first global star.

SCOUT’S ASSESSMENT:

world beater.

RIYAD MAHREZ — LEICESTER CITY:

One man who can tell Salah a few things about dreams coming true is Riyad Mahrez.

The Algerian ace was the leading man in Leicester’s fairytale march to the Premier League title last year; his winning the PFA Player of the Year Award only marginally more believable than his side’s lifting of the famous trophy.

But it was an accolade he more than Potential helped them reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League last season, a run which saw him score four times.

The harsh reality of Leicester rejoining the pack of teams for whom survival is the only target has Mahrez now looking to leave, with a bigmoney move to Roma on the cards — the Italians have already had an offer of £26 million rejected.

Until they increase their bid Mahrez remains at the King Power Stadium, and on the evidence of Friday night’s 4-3 thriller at Arsenal he looks close to his title-winning form. Whether that is his swan song or a prelude to another successful Premier League season, only the next few weeks will tell.

SCOUT’S ASSESSMENT: global star.

AHMED HEGAZY — WEST BROM: Egyptians have largely failed to make an impact on the Premier League, Hossam Ghaly and (especially) Mido were just two players who were much better than their forgettable stints in England suggested.

That may change this season is not just down to Salah’s big-money move to Liverpool. Arguably the Arab player who made the most impact on the opening weekend was Hagazy, the Al-Ahly defender currently on loan at West Brom.

The 26-year-old not only scored the winner on his debut against Bournmouth, a towering header from a free-kick, but looked every inch the bulwark in defense his 6-foot-5-inch frame suggests he is.

West Brom boss Tony Pulis was rumored to be looking to sign Barcelona’s Thomas Vermaelen over the summer to shore up the Baggies’ defense. On the evidence of Saturday, however, it looks like he will not need to. Hagazy was dominant throughout and is already a fan favorite, thanks to some impressive displays in the pre-season Asia Trophy in Hong Kong.

It is early days yet, but Hegazy could be one of the signings of the season.

SCOUT’S ASSESSMENT: Possible cult hero. Established