Physical Address
Indirizzo: Via Mario Greco 60, Buttigliera Alta, 10090, Torino, Italy
Unless last minute turnaround, Vladimir Petkovic’s list for the September internship, which will be unveiled this Thursday, should not contain any major surprises. True to his conduct line, the national coach intends to rely on the same nucleus of players who started the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
According to information from the Fennec Gazette, no new player recently “naturalized” will appear in this list. Exit therefore speculations around potential first surprise summons. Like Elias Benkara, defender of Borussia Dortmund whose name was cited with recently. Petkovic obviously wants to capitalize on stability and continuity within his group. At least for the rest of the eliminatory campaign for the 2026 World Cup which constitutes the number 1 objective of the national coach. Once this chapter is closed, the door could open up to arrivals in anticipation of the CAN.
But immediately, no upheaval is looming on the horizon. If not … only one exception could however spice up this list: Ilan Kebbal. The Paris FC attacking midfielder appears well in the extended list and its name insistently circulates as the only possible novelty, assures the Gazette du Fennec a safe source. Author of a good start to the season in Ligue 1, Kebbal could take advantage of his current form to scrape a place in the final list. This choice, if confirmed, would not be completely unexpected for informed observers, especially with regard to his thunderous start to the season in Ligue 1, but it would still constitute a small sign of opening on the part of the Bosnian technician. For the rest, confidence seems once again granted to executives, while the Greens will start the final stretch of qualifications in September.
Akliouche will not play for Algeria (official)
Maghnes Akliouche was, this Wednesday, in the list of Didier Deschamps for the two games of the FIFA date of September against Ukraine and Iceland. The 23-year-old Franco-Algerian therefore chose to represent the Blues. On August 14, the Fennec Gazette made the update of the situation of Akliouche concerning its possible coming to the national team and it was assured that no approach took in this direction for the Monegasque. Almost two weeks later, he was retained by Didier Deschamps with the French team. After Cherki last June, the coach of vice-world champions locks Akliouche.
Thus, the two files are closed knowing that the resident of the Principality club will probably have even a few minutes to put themselves under the tooth during the two to come for EDF against Ukraine and Poland. The aspect will be official since it is the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. This means that if it treads the lawn, if only for a few seconds, with the French tunic, Akliouche will no longer be able to fall back on Algeria in the future because it is over 21 years old.
In any case, as we revealed, the binational had a career plan with French sports nationality for the basis. Especially since Luis Campos, Strategic Advisor to Paris Saint-Germain who wishes to enlist him, demanded that he opt for France and that he promised to exploit his proximity to Deschamps in order to propel him with the Blues. It is now done. Now it remains to be seen if Akliouche will be Parisian in the future.
Chaibi postulates strong for a holder’s place
This time, the member of Eintracht Frankfurt does not come in the shoes of a player who is trying to benefit from a playing time, but with the dazzling form he has in recent weeks, he legitimately postulates for a holder’s place. Lowed last year by Vladimir Petkovic after his bad reaction during his replacement at the half-time of the Algeria-Bolivia match (3-2) (FIFA series 2024), he will be absent from the lists for three courses (June, September and October), before being recalled in November. Paradoxically, his return to selection coincided with the period when it did not go well for him at the Eintracht.
Nevertheless, aware of his enormous potential, added to his young age, the national coach handed him a pole. Subsequently, his performances with the green and white jersey agreed to the coach, he who has never publicly disclosed the reasons for his sidelining. As an experienced coach, he knew he would sooner or later need his services. Gradually, Chaibi is gaining playing time, his ability to adapt to different game situations, he has never disappointed. His entry against Sweden was positive. Having replaced Ismail Bennacer in the 79th, he puts himself a few moments after evidence, by sending Amine Gouiri superbly who will get a penalty. With this entry, he certainly scored points in the eyes of Vladimir Petkovic.
The absence of Bennacer, still without a club, will free up a place in the midfield, the national coach could therefore count on him for the two September games against Botswana and Guinea. It must be said that currently going through a good period, he who remained on honorable performances in the preseason matches, Chaibi was expected at the turn of the resumption of the Bundesliga this weekend, against the Werder Bremen, the young Algerian international (22 years old) demonstrated all his talent in a meeting perfectly mastered by Frankfurt as evidenced by the final result (4-1 victory). In addition to his good performance, Farès Chaibi delivered a decisive pass in this match. Dino Toppmoller, a priori entrusted him with a role that suits him well.
Positioned offensive midfielder on the left, with his intelligence, he touches more balloons and his influence on the Frankfurt game is very visible, judge observers in Germany. They return their jacket. To say that it was not so long ago, they criticized him virulence, criticisms which affected Farès Chaibi who thought of leaving after the end of the last exercise. However, invigorated by the confidence of Dino Toppmoller, he is rewarded by his seriousness in work and especially his patience. Today, within the German club, we are delighted with his return to the foreground. Showing a firm determination to impose itself, it will dissipate over time all the uncertainties on its level by expressing its full potential.