Struggling Valdez could be shown Al Jazira exit

Kenny Laurie 10:49 07/01/2014
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  • Uncertain future: Nelson Valdez could soon leave Al Jazira

    Al Jazira will today decide whether to retain the services of striker Nelson Valdez after it emerged that coach Walter Zenga has been unimpressed by the Paraguayan.

    Valdez has struggled for fitness and form after his big money move in the summer while Jazira’s poor start cost Luis Milla – the man who signed the forward – his job last October.

    Current manager Zenga is believed to have been left cold by Valdez, who has managed just two goals in 11 Arabian Gulf League games since arriving from Valencia.

    A spokesman from the club told Sport360° that the club’s top brass will meet today after training to decide whether or not to part company with the striker.

    “Nothing has been decided yet,” said the spokesman. “But the technical committee and management will make a decision on Tuesday.”

    Possible replacements have already been linked with the club, including Celtic’s Greek striker Georgios Samaras, while coach Zenga is believed to have been in touch with agents yesterday over prospective signings.

    Samaras is currently the frontrunner, being not only a similar fit to Valdez but also unhappy at Parkhead.

    The Greek international is staying in Scotland while his teammates travel to Turkey this week as he mulls over his future, according to reports in Britain.

    The 29-year-old is believed to be at a crossroads in his career and is looking for a long term deal to secure his future going into his 30s.

    Al Jazira may be tempted to replace Valdez with a midfielder allowing in-form striker Ali Mabkhout to lead the line by himself.

    No names have been confirmed yet but it is believed a midfielder from Brazil is under consideration by Zenga.

    Elsewhere in the Arabian Gulf League, Al Shabab were dealt two injury blows as they look to catch Al Ahli at the top of the table. The second-placed side lost two key men to injury with Hassan Ibrahim expected to be out for two months, while Uzbekistan international midfielder Azizbek Haydorov will be out for at least at a month

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